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Senior experts and policymakers from Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan convened in Nairobi from June 26-28 for a high-level regional meeting.
The event, organized by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC) – Technical Support Unit, and the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus Coalition, aimed to strengthen national food systems and align regional commitments.
Background and Objectives
The meeting was a continuation of efforts initiated at the IGAD High-level Ministerial meeting in October 2022. Subsequent consultative missions to Ethiopia and Somalia identified key priorities and coordinated support areas to enhance the operationalization of national food systems pathways. The two-day workshop in Naivasha, Kenya, followed by the Ministerial meeting in Nairobi, focused on exchanging best practices, identifying common priorities, and securing ministerial approval for proposed actions.
The primary objectives of the meeting were:
- Facilitating the sharing of good practices and knowledge exchange between Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan.
- Consolidating a harmonized and coordinated approach to food systems strengthening, in line with regional commitments.
- Identifying common priorities to accelerate food systems transformation and ensuring progress through global, regional, and national support mechanisms.
- Obtaining official validation and endorsement of identified priorities and corresponding activities.
Key Highlights and Commitments
Ministers and heads of delegations from the IGAD member states reaffirmed their commitment to addressing food insecurity and enhancing the resilience and livelihoods of vulnerable communities. They appreciated the hospitality extended by the Government of Kenya and the efforts made by IGAD, the GNAFC, and other development partners.
The ministers recognized the severe food insecurity affecting the region, with recent data indicating that approximately 24% of the population in East Africa faced significant food insecurity in 2023. More than 12 million individuals were in Emergency (IPC Phase 4), and over 80,000 were expected to reach Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) in Somalia and South Sudan. Additionally, it was projected that over 7 million individuals in South Sudan and over 3 million in Somalia would face severe levels of acute food insecurity between April and June 2024. In Ethiopia, an estimated 16 million people are expected to need emergency food assistance in 2024.
The persistent food crises are exacerbated by systemic risks, including conflict-induced displacement, climate-related, and economic shocks. These factors contribute to fragile food systems, adversely affecting the socio-economic wellbeing and long-term development of the region.
Joint Declaration and Commitments
The meeting culminated in a joint declaration, outlining several key commitments:
- Capacity Building: Enhancing regional and national capacity-building efforts to translate strategic policy commitments into actionable results.
- Inclusive Approaches: Extending national-level progress to sub-national levels through an inclusive approach prioritizing vulnerable populations.
- National Leadership: Supporting coordination and harmonizing ministerial priorities with national development planning frameworks.
- Communications Strategy: Urging IGAD and partners to develop a regional food systems communications strategy to maintain high-level political support.
- Coordination Mechanisms: Strengthening coordination within government and between government and key stakeholders to prioritize regional and national needs.
- Data Management: Building robust data management solutions and employing monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks.
- Financing Mechanisms: Recommending financing mechanisms to strengthen food systems, including national budget allocation, development partners’ resources, and private sector investments.
- Balancing Priorities: Ensuring a strategic balance between humanitarian and development priorities, focusing on sustainable programming and durable solutions.
The meeting underscored the urgent need for collaborative and coordinated efforts to address food insecurity in the IGAD region. The commitments made by the ministers and heads of delegations from Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan reflect a shared determination to enhance food systems, promote sustainable development, and build resilience against future crises.
As the region continues to grapple with significant challenges, the outcomes of this high-level meeting provide a roadmap for accelerated implementation and strengthened alignment with regional and global commitments.
