02-08-2017, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia): The Director of Agriculture and Environment Division of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Mr. Mohamed Moussa on behalf of IGAD Executive Secretary, this morning opened a consultative workshop with Member States on establishing a systematic and regular Data Sharing Agreement (DSA).

This two-day workshop, held in Addis Ababa, is gathering officials in charge of statics bureaus in line ministries at respective Member States of IGAD.

The specific objectives of the workshop are to establish or consolidate formal institutional linkages and mechanisms for data/information sharing between IGAD Secretariat and national statistics offices, and also to improve coordination and collaboration between national statistics offices, regional, and continental organizations on harmonisation of statistics.

Mr Moussa, in his inauguration remarks, highlighted that “IGAD developed a road-map to establish a functional harmonized monitoring system to support the implementation of not only the IGAD Regional Strategy 2016-2020, but also the African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals frameworks”.

He then explained that “the successful monitoring of these development agendas heavily” relied “on data and requires reliable and harmonized statistics from the National Statistical data systems”.

Thus, the need to develop “a comparatively structured regional statistics framework” that “requires the adoption of harmonized and standardised definitions and concepts, adaptation of international norms to regions realities and specificities, and the use of a common methodology for the production of statistics and their dissemination”.

Mr Moussa declared the meeting open after wishing the participants fruitful deliberations.
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11-07-2017, Mombasa (Kenya): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development this morning opened the 4th IGAD Business Forum (IBF) Bi-annual General Meeting in Mombasa, Kenya, under the co-chairmanship of the outgoing IBF Chair and Chair of the Chamber of Commerce of Djibouti, Mr. Youssouf Dawaleh, and the Chair of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Mombasa, Mr. James Mereu, and in the presence of the Programme Manager Trade, Industry and Tourism, Mr. Joseph Rwanshote, representing IGAD Executive Secretary.

The 4th IBF Bi-annual General Meeting is aimed at assessing progress made since the 3rd General Meeting held two years ago in Djibouti in particular, and more also an opportunity to gauge progress made since the revival of the IBF since May 2010.

High level representatives from Chamber of Commerce from IGAD member States and high profile business leaders are taking part in this meeting that saw the handing over of the chairmanship of the IBF from Djibouti to Kenya during the opening session.

Mr Rwanshote noted that the region was witnessing a GDP growth of over 4% since 1998 and that the private sector was expanding. He also highlighted that one of the key pre-requisites for a smooth flow of cross-border trade was “modern and durable infrastructure”. “IGAD Secretariat is involved in the coordination of various important infrastructure investments” such as regional transport and interconnectivity, energy, Information and Communication Technology, and water development projects, according to Mr. Rwanshote. “The private sector is a key partner in this push to develop the requisite modern infrastructure that will facilitate greater trade in IGAD member States”, he said.

Mr Youssouf Dawaleh stressed that the private the private sector in the region “has been meeting regularly to express its willingness and commitment to work with governments to help lift the obstacles that hamper the development of intraregional trade and the creation of an enabling environment for investment”. He also announced the adoption during the 3rd IBF of the establishment of an International Arbitration Center to be based in Djibouti.

Mr Mereu, as Guest of Honour and speaking for the Chair of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, officially opened the meeting.

This meeting is organized with financial support from the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF).

10-07-2017, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia): The Intergovernmental Authority in Development (IGAD) yesterday opened a Stakeholder Engagement and Orientation Workshop on Regional Action through Data (RAD) during a session chaired by the Minister of Health of Ethiopia, H.E Prof. Yifru Berhane, and in the presence of the Acting Director of the Health and Social Development Directorate-IGAD, Ms Fathia Alwan.

Delegates from IGAD Member States, the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities, and Partners are in attendance of this two-day gathering that will close today.

It was in her opening remarks that Ms Alwan highlighted the purpose of the meeting in these words: “Our meeting today to provide you with information about the Regional Action through Data (RAD) Initiative and discuss and elaborate on challenges of data use and express the needs to address the problem of limited use of data for decision making and also express the commitment of IGAD Member States to support and collaborate to implement this important initiative.”

She also explained that the RAD Initiative is aimed at improving “the health outcomes in terms of saving lives and reduce mortality and morbidity of common health problems among the populations in the IGAD region”.

Ms Alwan noted that “an overwhelming amount of health care data exists, from local to regional levels, without an understanding of how it can be synthesized, analyzed and used to inform program planning, performance management, addressing bottlenecks, forecasting, or other mechanisms to bring change in health status of our population in the region”.

Prof. Berhane further elaborated that the Regional Action through Data (RAD) initiative was “a multi-organization consortium program that supports the use of data from multiple sources for evidence-based decision making and sharing of the information across borders for purpose of improving the health status of cross boarder population”.

Prof Berhane stressed the importance of working closely and sharing information “with neighbouring countries to prevent and control any cross-border health and health related issues”.

The IGAD RAD Initiative is funded by USAID.
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Nairobi, Kenya, 5 April 2017 – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) have signed a memorandum of understanding signifying an important milestone in recognizing the need for genuine partnerships to ensure that tourism development is in congruence with and compliments conservation of the environment, wildlife and wild lands and the utilization of the natural resources in a modernizing Africa remains sustainable.

16-08-2016, Nairobi, Kenya – A two day validation workshop for Terms of Reference (TORS) for the development of IGAD Infrastructure Master Plan (IRIMP) began on 15th August 2016 at Hilton Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.