January 29, 2026 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has commenced Capacity-Building Workshop for Legislators, Policymakers and Line Ministries on Refugee Protection, towards efforts to support refugee protection and comprehensive solutions for displaced persons hosted in Ethiopia.
The three-day capacity-building workshop aimed to strengthen the collective understanding, commitment, and coordination of refugee protection and inclusion in Ethiopia among legislators, policymakers, and key stakeholders.
Speaking on behalf of the IGAD Secretariat, Mr. Kassahun Beyene, Refugee protection Officer, highlighted IGAD’s support to Member States in the operationalization of the IGAD Policy Framework on Refugee Protection, strengthening institutional capacities, promoting inclusive policies, and advancing durable solutions across the region; ” This workshop is implemented within the broader Phase II project entitled “Towards Effective Protection and Comprehensive Solutions for Forcibly Displaced Persons in the IGAD Region.” He added.
Ato Yakob Yala Deputy Director General, Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) emphasized that at a time when some developed countries are tightening their borders and, in certain cases, expelling long-term refugees and even children born on their soil, Ethiopia despite its own economic and social challenges continues to keep its doors open to those seeking asylum and protection.” We also extend our gratitude to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for financing this program, as well as to all those who contributed to the successful organization of this event,” Ato Yakob expressed.
Participants deepened their understanding of the national, regional, and global refugee protection frameworks, including Ethiopia’s Refugee Proclamation No. 1110/2019, Makatet (Inclusion) Roadmap, IGAD policy instruments, and the Global Compact on Refugees, enabling a more coherent and strategic approach to responsibility-sharing and protection governance.
The workshop enhanced parliamentary leadership and oversight, with participants committing to advance subsidiary legislation required to operationalize the Refugee Proclamation, strengthen budgetary scrutiny for refugee inclusion initiatives, and promote institutional mechanisms for sustained parliamentary engagement on displacement issues.
Stakeholders agreed on the need for an integrated, implementation-focused approach, anchored in a jointly owned Action Matrix involving Parliament, RRS, and line ministries, emphasizing policy harmonization across sectors, strengthened data and monitoring systems, and coordinated national and regional action to address the root causes of displacement.
The workshop brought together members of the Ethiopian Parliament that are engaged in refugee matters, including, Line ministries (lawmakers, government institutions), humanitarian actors, civil society, and refugee representatives, and IGAD Secretariat, to jointly reflect on challenges, opportunities, and practical solutions.
A multi-stakeholder coordination platform was consolidated, linking Parliament, government institutions, UN agencies, civil society, and refugee representatives, to support collaborative policy development and unified advocacy for predictable, sustainable international financing.
Participants further endorsed a strategic shift in narrative and preparedness, positioning refugee inclusion as a development, stability, and regional integration investment, while strengthening national and regional resilience through diversified financing, regional cooperation, and proactive risk mitigation.
Overall, the workshop laid the foundation for stronger legislative action, coordinated implementation, and sustainable refugee protection and inclusion, contributing to Ethiopia’s long-term stability, development, and regional leadership in displacement governance.
In September 2023, Ethiopia and other IGAD countries endorsed the Regional Refugee Protection Policy Framework to support member states’ efforts and harmonise refugee management and protection.
