November 29, 2025 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia): The IGAD Secretariat in collaboration with GIZ convened a policy dialogue on Climate Change and Mobility in the IGAD Region from the 27th to 29th October 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The high-level policy dialogue that gathered Climate Experts from IGAD Member States focused on climate-induced mobility, resilience, and adaptation within IGAD’s broader efforts to address human mobility and displacement in the context of disasters and climate change.
The meeting was also attended by experts from IGAD Migration, IGAD Centre for Climate prediction and Applications (ICPAC) and Member States Experts on Climate, Disaster Risk Management, Migration and Refugee Commissions. National Focal Points for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), representatives of academia and partners, also attended the dialogue.
Delegates analyzed Member State implementation of climate change, disasters, and mobility frameworks and assessed capacity needs to shape a regional training course on human mobility and climate change.
ICPAC experts showcased how enhanced analytical and forecasting capacities can provide the necessary evidence for countries to develop comprehensive strategies, prepare vulnerable communities, and build long-term resilience.
Representing the Director Health and Social Development, the Head of Social Development Unit, Dr. Victoria Anib noted that climate-related shocks have impacted millions of people in the region, undermined livelihoods, and forced individuals to relocate, sometimes temporarily and other times permanently.
Dr. Anib appreciated the growing collaboration among IGAD institutions, member states, development partners and research institutions in dealing with climate related shocks and displacements.
“Let us keep in mind that behind every dataset and every projection, there are real communities, farmers, pastoralists, women, and youth whose lives and futures depend on our ability to act decisively and inclusively,” said Dr. Victoria.
“Our shared goal must be to ensure that mobility, when it occurs, becomes a pathway to resilience, adaptation, and opportunity, not a source of vulnerability.”
Mr. Nigusu Lema, the Deputy Director General, Ethiopian Environment Authority said the dialogue was key for strengthening the ability of our IGAD Member State policymakers to engage effectively in international climate negotiations and evidence-based decision-making. He underscored the urgency of collective regional action and informed policy responses.
“As Member States, we must align our climate policies and negotiation priorities to ensure a strong, unified African voice that reflects the realities of our people and ecosystems,” remarked Mr. Nigusu.
Speaking on behalf of the partners, Ms. Noora Mäkelä, Programme Officer for Climate Action in East, Horn, and Southern Africa at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), highlighted that when properly planned and managed, human mobility can play a positive role in reducing climate risks, alleviating pressure on degraded ecosystems, and promoting sustainable land management.
The plenary session on Climate Action for Displaced Communities brought together Commissioners for Refugee Affairs, who shared updates on the progress made toward their respective national pledges announced at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum. The discussion highlighted ongoing efforts across the region to strengthen climate resilience and support displaced populations affected by climate-related challenges.
At the 2023 Global Refugee Forum, under the IGAD Support Platform on Forced Displacement, the IGAD Secretariat together with South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda endorsed the Multi-Stakeholder Pledge on Climate Action, committing to protect communities displaced by climate change, strengthen early warning systems, enhance resilience, and mobilize climate financing.
The dialogue offered a strategic platform to align IGAD Member States’ climate policies and negotiation priorities ahead of COP30. The discussions aimed to strengthen regional coherence and coordination on climate action and consequently a consolidated IGAD common position statement for the upcoming conference was drafted.
Participants recommended documenting best practices on managing climate and disaster related mobility, scaling up community interventions to address root causes, fostering dialogue among Member States, and integrating climate services and digital tools into early warning systems.
On promoting regional coordination and coherence, Member States called for stronger IGAD coordination to ensure policy coherence and joint actions.
In September 2025, IGAD and GIZ launched the Human Mobility in the Context of Disasters and Climate Change (MoDiaC) Project to support the implementation of regional approaches to climate- and disaster-induced mobility aiming at strengthening institutional capacities, improve evidence-based planning, and empower local cross-border communities to better manage mobility challenges.
