Austin Opata

Head of Communications @IGADsecretariat | Alumni: @KenyattaUni & @ASU | #TLD2026 | FYI - Do not complain about Africa if you are not SHAPING IT.

[IGAD Secretariat @IGADsecretariat]

IGAD Bids Farewell to Germany’s Ambassador

IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. @DrWorkneh, today bid farewell to H.E. Dr. Heike Fuller, outgoing Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Djibouti and Permanent Representative to IGAD.

The Executive Secretary commended Ambassador Fuller’s contribution to strengthening IGAD–Germany cooperation, particularly through initiatives that have supported migrants and vulnerable communities across the region.

IGAD expresses its appreciation for her partnership and wishes her every success in her future endeavours.

#OneRegionOneFuture #RisingWithIGAD

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

Today, I received H.E. Mohammed Saeed the Ambassador of the Republic of the Sudan to the Republic of Djibouti for a courtesy call.
Our discussions focused on the evolving situation in Sudan, the humanitarian challenges facing affected communities, and the importance of strengthening support for the Sudanese people during this critical period.
I reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to supporting initiatives that advance peace, stability, and recovery in Sudan.

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

Farewell to H.E. Dr. Heike Fuller, the outgoing Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Djibouti and Permanent Representative to IGAD.

H.E. Dr. Heike Fuller has played important role in strengthening IGAD–Germany relations, through which we jointly implemented initiatives that support migrants and vulnerable communities across the IGAD region.
I wish her every success in her future endeavours.

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

This afternoon, I joined fellow Chief Executive Officers of the African Union Regional Economic Communities in a meeting chaired by H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to discuss strengthening AU–REC coordination and enhancing collaboration through joint planning and information sharing for the benefit of our people.
During the meeting, I reaffirmed IGAD’s commitment to working with the African Union, RECs, and Member States, guided by the principles of subsidiarity, complementarity, and comparative advantage, to advance regional integration and shared prosperity.

[IGAD Missions @IGAD_Missions]

IGAD Participates in Zimbabwe Independence Day Celebration in Juba

The IGAD Mission in South Sudan, represented by Victoria Anib, joined members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, and distinguished guests in commemorating the Independence Day of Zimbabwe in Juba.

This year’s celebration was marked by Zimbabwe’s recent election to the United Nations Security Council, a significant milestone that reflects the country’s growing role in advancing international cooperation, peace, and security.

IGAD congratulates the people and Government of Zimbabwe on this dual occasion and reaffirms its commitment to strengthening regional and international partnerships in pursuit of peace, stability, and sustainable development.

#OneRegionOneFuture #RisingWithIGAD

[IGAD Secretariat @IGADsecretariat]

🦠 IGAD Leads Regional Action on Ebola Preparedness and Response

As the first African Union Regional Economic Community to convene a Ministerial Meeting on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak, IGAD demonstrated its commitment to protecting communities through timely regional action and coordination.

Bringing together Member State Health Ministers, the meeting reinforced collective preparedness, information sharing, and cross-border collaboration to prevent and respond to potential public health threats.

IGAD continues to stand with its Member States and communities by strengthening surveillance systems, supporting emergency preparedness efforts, and promoting coordinated responses to disease outbreaks and other health emergencies.

H.E. @DrWorkneh, IGAD Executive Secretary underscored a simple but critical reality: "Disease outbreaks do not respect borders. Strong regional cooperation is essential to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats that can affect communities across the IGAD region."

By acting early and together, the region can better protect lives, strengthen resilience, and safeguard public health for all.

🔗 Learn more: https://t.co/5R1e571Mum
Visit: https://t.co/mjiS9lTUdH

#RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture #HealthSecurity #RegionalCooperation

[IGAD Secretariat @IGADsecretariat]

🎥 2025 IGAD Media Awards Winner Spotlight Series | Stories That Move Our Region.

As we listen to Mary Ann Muganda, a journalist from The Standard Newspaper-Kenya and an #IGAD Media Awards 2025 winner, let us be inspired to tell stories for change.

Mary Ann says,

“The more stories we tell, the greater we amplify the message.”

And we reckon the same, emphasizing that over our 40 years of existence, we have come to understand that every step toward resilience has a story behind it.

📌 Submit your story now:
https://t.co/jFyIrqYgH0

📅 Submissions close: July 31, 2026

#IGADMediaAwards2026
#RisingWithIGAD
#OneRegionOneFuture

[IGAD Secretariat @IGADsecretariat]

IGAD Executive Secretary bids Farewell to the Russian Ambassador

Today in Djibouti, the IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. @DrWorkneh, bid farewell to H.E Mikhail Golovanov, Ambassador of the Federation of Russia to the Republic of Djibouti and IGAD. The Executive Secretary wishes the Ambassador success in his future endeavours.

#RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

As H.E. Mikhail Golovanov concludes his tenure as Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Djibouti and Permanent Representative to IGAD, I extend my appreciation for his commitment to advancing fruitful cooperation between IGAD and Russia Federation.I wish him continued success and fulfilment in his future endeavours.

[IGAD Secretariat @IGADsecretariat]

🌍 Every movement has a story.
#IGADMediaAwards2026

A worker crossing borders in search of opportunity.
A pastoralist following traditional migration routes.
A family rebuilding after displacement.
A young entrepreneur creating a future in a new community.

Across the #IGAD region, millions of people move in pursuit of safety, dignity, livelihoods, and opportunity. Their stories deserve to be told.

The IGAD Media Awards 2026 is seeking outstanding journalism and storytelling that explores migration, labour mobility, displacement, free movement, and regional integration.

🏆 Theme:
"Human Mobility for Regional Integration: Free Movement, Decent Work, Protection and Shared Prosperity"

📅 Submissions close on 31 July 2026

📌 Eligible stories must have been published, broadcast, or aired from January 2022 onwards.

🔗 Submit your entry:
https://t.co/jFyIrqYgH0

🌐 Learn more:
https://t.co/mp1PMKtsgz

#IGADMediaAwards
#RisingWithIGAD
#OneRegionOneFuture

[IGAD Secretariat @IGADsecretariat]

🌊 World Ocean Day 2026 🌊

Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet

On this World Ocean Day, IGAD reaffirms its commitment to protecting marine and coastal ecosystems through its Blue Economy agenda, particularly across the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Western Indian Ocean regions.

Through regional cooperation and support to Member States, IGAD promotes sustainable ocean governance, strengthens coastal resilience, and advances the effective management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to conserve biodiversity and support coastal livelihoods.

Key areas of action include:

✅ Promoting integrated coastal zone management
✅ Strengthening resilience of coastal livelihoods
✅ Supporting Marine Protected Areas and biodiversity conservation
✅ Enhancing regional cooperation on marine and environmental governance
✅ Promoting the sustainable use of ocean and marine resources

As climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss continue to threaten our oceans, collective action is essential to safeguard marine ecosystems for future generations.

🌍 Healthy Oceans. Resilient Communities. Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet.

Read more: https://t.co/1HlWsQfn7O

@SweinEthiopia
#WorldOceanDay2026 #MarineProtectedAreas #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

[IGAD Secretariat @IGADsecretariat]

🏭 Industry Driving Jobs, Growth, and Opportunity.

From agricultural produce and livestock products to manufactured goods, industry helps unlock greater value from local resources, creating jobs, boosting incomes, and strengthening economic resilience across the #IGAD region.

Across the region, IGAD is working with Member States to strengthen regional integration, improve trade and investment opportunities, expand infrastructure, and promote policies that support industrial growth and competitiveness.

By enhancing regional connectivity, supporting value addition, and facilitating access to larger markets, IGAD is helping create an enabling environment for industries to thrive, attract investment, and contribute to sustainable development.

✨ Strong industries create stronger economies and better opportunities for people across the region.

📘 Learn more about IGAD’s Trade, Industry and Tourism initiatives:
https://t.co/Ba74O20zGe

#RisingWithIGAD
#OneRegionOneFuture

[IGAD Secretariat @IGADsecretariat]

IGAD and Italy: Strengthened Partnership for Peace and Prosperity

Today in Djibouti, the IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. @DrWorkneh received H.E. Sem Fabrizi, Italy’s Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Republic of Djibouti, the Republic of South Sudan, and IGAD.

Their discussions focused on regional peace and security and future plans to revitalize the IGAD Partners Forum for enhanced service delivery for the people of the IGAD region.

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

Received H.E. Sem Fabrizi, Italy’s Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Republic of Djibouti, the Republic of South Sudan, and IGAD.
We exchanged on the challenges facing regional peace and security.
We also deliberated on a roadmap for the revitalization of the IGAD Partners Forum co-chaired by IGAD and Italy, to strengthen support for the institution for enhanced service delivery for our people.

[IGAD Secretariat @IGADsecretariat]

The Week at #IGAD: May 17 – 23, 2026

Top stories:

· In Addis Ababa, IGAD convened the 73rd Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 73), bringing together climate experts, Member States, and partners to develop the June, September 2026 seasonal outlook and strengthen regional preparedness for climate extremes.

· Across the region, IGAD advanced peace, security, and resilience initiatives, from supporting dialogue in Somalia and participating in a high-level peace dialogue in Jigjiga, to strengthening transhumance coordination, countering hate speech and disinformation, and enhancing refugee protection and durable solutions through regional cooperation.

#RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture #WeekAtIGAD #ClimateAction #PeaceAndSecurity #RegionalIntegration #HornOfAfrica

[IGAD Secretariat @IGADsecretariat]

📚 Advancing Quality Education Through Regional Cooperation

Education is a powerful driver of social and economic transformation. By equipping learners with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed for the future, education contributes to regional integration, innovation, peace, and sustainable development.

Through the IGAD Regional Education Policy Framework, IGAD is supporting Member States in strengthening access, quality, equity, affordability, and relevance across all levels of education. The framework promotes cooperation in areas such as early childhood development, primary and secondary education, higher education, technical and vocational training, science and technology, teacher development, and lifelong learning.

The framework also places special emphasis on inclusive education for refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons, and other vulnerable groups, while fostering policy harmonisation, knowledge sharing, and regional collaboration to address common education challenges.

✨ By strengthening education systems and promoting regional cooperation, IGAD is helping build a more skilled, inclusive, and resilient future for learners across the region.

🔗 Learn more: https://t.co/RAH3CdoWcM
Visit: https://t.co/mjiS9lUs3f

#QualityEducation #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

[IGAD Secretariat @IGADsecretariat]

🍽️ World Food Safety Day 2026 🍽️

Safe food is not only a health priority, it is a foundation for resilient communities, stable markets, and sustainable development.

On this World Food Safety Day, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) IGAD highlights the importance of strengthening food systems safety and resilience across the region, where climate variability, drought, and supply chain disruptions continue to affect food availability and quality.

Through its regional efforts on food security, climate resilience, and early warning systems, IGAD supports Member States in improving preparedness and response to food safety risks by:

Strengthening early warning and climate information services for agriculture
Supporting resilient and climate-smart food systems
Enhancing regional coordination on food security and safety monitoring
Promoting sustainable agricultural practices to reduce contamination risks

In a region where food systems are deeply interconnected, ensuring food safety means investing in prevention, cooperation, and science-based decision-making.

🌍 Safe food today for a healthier, more resilient tomorrow.

#RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

[GIJN Africa @gijnAfrica]

The @IGADsecretariat seeks entries for the 2026 IGAD Media Awards.

The awards will recognise outstanding journalism on migration, forced displacement, labour mobility, free movement, decent work, protection & regional integration.

Deadline: July 31. https://t.co/R1ViE3RmcG

[Dr Workneh Gebeyehu @DrWorkneh]

Disease outbreaks do not respect borders, and neither should our response.
This morning, together with IGAD Health Ministers, I convened the IGAD Extraordinary Health Ministerial Meeting on the current Ebola outbreak. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to collective preparedness and response.
With @pandemicfund ,@WHO and @ifrc, we pledged USD 1 million to each Member States.
I urge the public to remain vigilant, follow health guidance, and report suspected cases promptly.

[IGAD Secretariat @IGADsecretariat]

Strengthening Partnership for Regional Progress

H.E. @DrWorkneh, Executive Secretary of IGAD, today co-convened the IGAD–Sweden 🇸🇪 Annual Partnership Meeting in Addis Ababa with H.E. Magnus Lennartsson, Ambassador of Sweden to Ethiopia, Djibouti, and IGAD.

The discussions focused on advancing cooperation in support of peace, resilience, regional integration, and sustainable development across the IGAD region.

IGAD appreciates Sweden’s longstanding partnership and continued support to regional cooperation and development.

@SweinEthiopia

#OneRegionOneFuture #RisingWithIGAD