July 28-31, 2025 (NAIROBI, Kenya): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), through its Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP) and in partnership with the IGAD Foreign Service Institute (IFSI), successfully concluded a four-day executive training for Ambassadors and Parliamentarians from its eight Member States. Hosted at the Argyle Hotel in Nairobi, the event marked a key milestone in strengthening regional leadership, accountability, and policy coherence in agrifood systems governance.
The training brought together Ambassadors, two Parliamentarians per Member State, CAADP Focal Points, and senior IGAD officials. Over two days, participants reviewed progress under the 4th CAADP Biennial Review, engaged with the Kampala Declaration, and assessed the alignment of national policies with regional and continental agricultural targets.
“This training is timely and significant. It comes in the wake of the Kampala Declaration, which renews our collective ambition to strengthen agricultural governance, improve food systems, and ensure resilience across the IGAD region,” said Mr Mohamed Omar Djama, Director of the IGAD Foreign Service Institute, in his opening remarks.
“Parliamentarians and Ambassadors have a unique and critical role to play—as advocates, policymakers, and stewards of public trust.”
On Days 3 and 4, the meeting transitioned from training to action. Delegates held in-depth consultations on the Terms of Reference for the IGAD Parliamentarians Working Group on Agrifood Systems. The Working Group was officially established following the adoption of the ToR and an action plan to guide its future work.
“This platform creates space for joint leadership in food systems governance. It’s a strategic step forward to ensure that our regional commitments are implemented through national legislation, investments, and inclusive policy frameworks,” remarked Dr Mohy Tohami, Director of IGAD Economic Cooperation and Regional Integration.
The Group will also support trade facilitation in the borderlands along key regional corridors—promoting cross-border market access, harmonisation of trade policies, and infrastructure investment—which are priority areas identified under the CAADP Kampala Declaration.
The newly formed Working Group will play a vital role in advocating for increased agricultural investment, domesticating regional commitments, and harmonising national policies with CAADP, the Kampala Declaration, and IGAD’s Food and Nutrition Security Strategy.
IGAD extended its appreciation to the World Bank for supporting the FSRP and reaffirmed its commitment to working with Member States, Parliamentarians, and diplomatic missions to build resilient, inclusive, and climate-smart agrifood systems across the region.
This engagement signals IGAD’s continued drive to strengthen institutional capacity, promote evidence-based policymaking, and accelerate progress towards regional food and nutrition security.
