May 8, 2025 (ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through its Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP), convened the inaugural meeting of the Regional Steering Committee in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting brought together FSRP focal persons from IGAD Member States and FSRP Country Coordinators from the three participating countries.
The main objective of the meeting was to strengthen regional coordination mechanisms by reviewing and endorsing the draft Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Regional Steering Committee, assessing implementation progress, and aligning on the 2025 Annual Work Plan.
Speaking on behalf of the IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, the Director of the Agriculture and Environment Division, Mr Daher Elmi, reaffirmed the importance of collective leadership and harmonised action in enhancing food systems resilience across the region. He further encouraged participating countries, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, to remain steadfast in the programme implementation and motivated Djibouti, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda to participate in national FSRP initiatives.
“This committee will serve as a platform for aligning efforts, sharing knowledge, and ensuring that national progress contributes to a stronger regional outcome. By working together through this structure, we can harmonise implementation, avoid duplication, and build a coherent approach that feeds into the continental agenda. The committee will not only oversee progress but also help us turn national successes into meaningful, region-wide impact that directly benefits our communities.”
The Chair of IGAD, the Republic of Djibouti, represented by the Director of Agriculture, Mr Moktar Mahamoud, emphasised the importance of regional unity in tackling food systems challenges:
“The establishment of this Regional Steering Committee is a reflection of our shared commitment to building resilient food systems across the IGAD region. As Chair, Djibouti reaffirms its support for regional collaboration that strengthens food security, promotes sustainability, and uplifts communities across our Member States.”
Delivering welcome remarks on behalf of the host country, Zena Habtewold Biru, Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Agriculture of Ethiopia, underscored the significance of joint action and leadership in shaping food security efforts across borders:
“Ethiopia is honoured to host this important meeting. We believe that through this Steering Committee, Member States can collectively shape a stronger, coordinated response to the food systems challenges we face. When we align our efforts, we multiply our impact.
The Steering Committee successfully endorsed the Terms of Reference for the FSRP Regional Steering Committee and produced a consolidated report of the inaugural meeting, capturing key recommendations and agreed actions to guide the next phase of implementation.
The Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP) is a flagship initiative aimed at strengthening the capacity of IGAD Member States to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to food system shocks. The programme focuses on enhancing early warning systems, promoting climate-smart agriculture, improving market integration, and building institutional capacity for coordinated regional action. By harmonising efforts and aligning national interventions, FSRP supports the region’s commitment to sustainable food security and resilience, in line with IGAD’s broader goals under the Drought Disaster Resilience and Sustainability Initiative (IDDRSI) and the African Union’s CAADP and Malabo Declaration frameworks.
