September 9, 2026 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia): The intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in collaboration with the United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Government of Ethiopia convened the 5th Meeting on Refugee Inclusion in National Education Systems, to translate the Djibouti Declaration into measurable improvements in the lives and futures of refugee, returnee and host-community learners, for resilience and durable solutions.
The overall objective of the 2-day regional Meeting is to review progress in the achievement of the Djibouti Declaration on refugee education, updating its Action Plan, and strengthening implementation and accountability.
The 2022 Evaluation of Progress Against the Djibouti Declaration in IGAD Member States aimed to document and analyze the outcomes of the Djibouti Declaration, including the processes through which these outcomes were achieved and the sustainability of both the processes and outcomes. The evaluation specifically focuses on the inclusion of refugees in national education systems, and concerning financing, partnerships, and monitoring Commitments.
At the opening of the Meeting, Dr. Duguma Adugna, Chief of Staff, Office of the Executive Secretary, IGAD, emphasized that sustainable inclusion requires stronger domestic resource mobilization, complemented by predictable and coordinated international support initiatives, such as Inclusion Support Program for Refugee Education (INSPIRE), the IDA Window for Host Communities and Refugees, the Global Partnership for Education and Education Cannot Wait, together with bilateral partnerships, can help Member States strengthen their systems and manage the transition responsibly.
Dr. Duguma further emphasized that since the adoption of the Djibouti Declaration the IGAD member States have made significant progress in strengthening policies and legal frameworks, increased national ownership, and advanced the inclusion of refugee learners in national education systems, “Our task has now evolved. We are moving from commitments and policies towards implementation at scale. The question is no longer whether refugees should be included in national education systems, but how we can make that inclusion sustainable, adequately financed and capable of delivering quality education for every learner,” He added.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Yohannes Wagasso, Lead Executive Officer for Educational Programs and Quality Improvement, Federal Ministry of Education of the Government of Ethiopia said that Ethiopia remains steadfast in its commitment to work shoulder-to-shoulder with IGAD Member States and partners to build an inclusive and resilient education system in which every refugee child has the opportunity to learn, to develop, and to contribute to the future of our region.
According to the Lead Executive Officer, for Ethiopia, refugee inclusion is an integral part of our larger national commitment to building an education system that is truly inclusive, equitable and resilient. “We are advancing the transfer of responsibility for refugee-hosting schools to Regional Education Bureaus, while aligning teacher management, examinations, education data and other critical systems with national structures,” Dr. Yohannes noted.
On behalf of the African Union Commission, Ms. Sophia Ashipala, Head, Education Division, Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation noted that the African Union welcomed the progress already being made in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, where the transition from parallel, humanitarian-supported education provision towards government-led systems is advancing.
In her statement, Ms. Sophia indicated that as highlighted by the 2022 evaluation, the challenge before us is to ensure that these policy commitments are translated into effective implementation, sustainable financing and tangible improvements in the lives of refugee and host-community learners,” as the African Union, we stand ready to support IGAD Member States and partners in strengthening this regional agenda and ensuring that our collective commitments contribute to inclusive, equitable, resilient and quality education systems across the continent,” she expressed.
Mr. Hervé Kuate, UNHCR Representative to the African Union and UNECA on his part explained that the experience of IGAD is particularly relevant to this continental effort- especially its lessons on moving from policy commitments to implementation, strengthening national systems, promoting refugee inclusion and building resilience in contexts affected by conflict, displacement and climate-related shocks.
In addition, he described the country-level consultations and peer-learning processes undertaken by IGAD are particularly valuable in ensuring that regional commitments remain grounded in national realities and practical solutions.
Mr Kuate, further expressed that the UNHCR remains committed to accompanying IGAD, the African Union and Member States in this journey. “Our collective engagement demonstrates that refugee education remains firmly anchored in the region’s broader development and inclusion agenda,” he said.
The meeting was attended by representatives of IGAD Member States, colleagues from IGAD, the African Union, the Government of Ethiopia, our esteemed host, colleagues from UNHCR and from sister UN agencies, development partners, civil society and refugee-led organizations.
Subsequently, the participants of the meeting recommended to revise Action Plan to the Djibouti Declaration, supported by a strengthened Monitoring and Evaluation framework to better understand where progress is being made closer to the full inclusion of refugees in national education systems and also reached on understanding on the realistic, measurable and financeable commitments that Member States and partners can collectively deliver over the next five years.
This meeting is organized by financial support from the United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
As It will be recalled the Djibouti Declaration on Quality Education for Refugees, Returnees and Host Communities, adopted by IGAD Ministers of Education in 2017, is an important political commitment to ensuring access to education for refugees, returnees and host communities.
