Nairobi, 20 July 2026, The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) formalized a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen regional cooperation and accelerate sustainable urbanization, climate resilience, and integrated territorial development across the Horn and Eastern Africa.
The agreement establishes a broad strategic framework for collaboration between the two organizations to support IGAD Member States in addressing the complex challenges of rapid urbanization, climate change, displacement, disaster risks, and cross-border development through coordinated regional action, knowledge sharing, and evidence-based planning.
Building on their complementary mandates and longstanding collaboration, UN-Habitat and IGAD will work together to strengthen institutional and human capacities, promote science, data and innovation, mobilize resources for regional programmes, and facilitate the generation and exchange of knowledge that supports informed policymaking and sustainable development across the region.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing sustainable urbanization while strengthening regional integration and resilience in one of Africa’s fastest urbanizing and most climate-vulnerable regions.
“By combining UN-Habitat’s global technical expertise with IGAD’s regional leadership and convening power, we will work with Member States across the Horn and Eastern Africa to translate regional priorities into practical solutions that improve lives and strengthen resilience,” said Oumar Sylla, Director of the Regional Office for Africa, UN-Habitat.
“IGAD strongly advocate for collaborations and partnerships to advance resilience, stability and regional integration. This partnership with UN-HABITAT is yet again addition another endeavor in building synergies, aligning priorities and co-designing solutions with communities to achieve sustainable development for the IGAD region.” said Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary of IGAD.
Under the MoU, the two organizations will collaborate to establish regional frameworks, develop and implement joint programmes, and mobilize resources to advance sustainable urbanization and resilience across the Horn and Eastern Africa.
The primary results of the collaboration will be to support IGAD Member States in
- Strengthening urban and cross-border resilience through integrated planning,
- Improved land governance,
- Climate-risk-informed settlement, land use planning and infrastructure development,
- Integration of disaster risk reduction into national urban policies
- Capacity development on global housing strategies and enhanced data systems, with a special focus on climate-induced human mobility and cross-border urban systems.
To ensure effective implementation, UN-Habitat and IGAD will establish a Joint Steering Committee and a Joint Technical task team to provide strategic oversight, coordinate implementation, develop annual work plans, monitor progress, and identify opportunities for new joint initiatives.
The partnership also reinforces both organizations’ commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goal 11, the New Urban Agenda, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 through stronger regional cooperation and coordinated action.
The Memorandum of Understanding will remain in force for five years and provides a platform for developing innovative regional programmes that respond to the evolving needs of countries and communities across the Horn and Eastern Africa.
About UN-Habitat
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations agency mandated to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. It works with governments, local authorities and partners to advance sustainable urbanization and improve the quality of life in cities and communities worldwide.
About IGAD
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is the regional economic community with membership of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda. IGAD promotes regional integration, peace and security, climate resilience and sustainable development through coordinated policies, partnerships and programmes that improve the lives of people across the region.
Contact Information
| UN-Habitat
Ishaku Maitumbi Senior Human Settlements Officer, Regional Office for Africa UN-Habitat, P.O. Box 30030 Nairobi 00100, Kenya Telephone Number: +254 733 984 285 Email: Ishaku.Maitumbi@un.org |
IGAD
Hussein Mohamed Early Warning and Risk Assessment Officer Address: ICPAC, Telephone Number: +254711961974 Hussein.Mohamed@igad.int |
