By Luganda David Nsiyonna – NECJOGHA
NEW YORK, USA – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is championing a new approach to tackling food insecurity, urging a shift from reactive crisis management to proactive, systemic investment. This was the central message delivered by IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, at the Science Summit on the margins of the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking to a global audience of policymakers, scientists, and development partners, Dr. Workneh highlighted that food security is a deeply human issue.
He pointed to the stark realities faced by the region’s most vulnerable: “the children who go to school hungry, the families uprooted by drought, and the communities whose survival depends on resilience.” He emphasized that a sustainable future requires a fundamental reorientation of global priorities, moving away from short-term fixes towards long-term, foundational change.
The Executive Secretary underscored IGAD’s unwavering commitment to this vision. He showcased the organization’s existing mechanisms for building resilience, including its specialized Climate Centres: the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) and the IGAD Centre of Excellence for Climate Change Adaptation and Environmental Protection (IGAD CAEP). These centers, he noted, are crucial for providing early warnings and supporting climate-smart initiatives to help member states adapt to the increasing impacts of climate change.
Dr. Workneh also highlighted the IGAD Food Systems Resilience Programme, a vital platform that supports member states in building more robust and sustainable agricultural systems. The program focuses on strengthening agricultural production, promoting sustainable natural resource management, and improving market access, all of which are essential for long-term food security.
In a powerful call to action, Dr. Workneh urged international partners to join IGAD in this transformative journey. He emphasized that addressing food insecurity in the IGAD region is not just a regional concern but a critical component of global stability.
Investing in science, innovation, and systemic change, the world can collectively shape a future where resilience and food security are a reality for all, not just a distant goal.
The eight countries that are members of IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) are Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. IGAD focuses on promoting regional cooperation in areas such as peace, security, economic integration, and sustainable development within the Horn of Africa region.
H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu is the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Appointed in November 2019, he is a seasoned public servant from Ethiopia. He is the sixth person to hold this position.
