Dr Workneh Gebeyehu

Too often, warnings come before disasters, but resources arrive only after the damage is done. This must change. Today in Mombasa, at the 2nd Eastern Africa Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action, officially opened by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, H.E. @Kipmurkomen, I called for a decisive shift from early warning to early action, backed by predictable financing, stronger institutions and empowered communities. Our success must be measured not by the disasters we respond to, but by the lives and livelihoods we protect before they strike.

Honoured to join H.E. President @WilliamsRuto and the people of Kenya in Eldoret for the 63rd Mashujaa Day celebrations, graced by H.E. Prime Minister @AbiyAhmedAli of Ethiopia as Guest of Honour. I commend the Government and people of the Republic of Kenya for upholding the legacy of their heroes and heroines, and for their continued commitment to peace, unity and regional integration. Happy Mashujaa Day, Wakenya! 🇰🇪

Received the letters of credence from H.E. Hüseyin Özdemir, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the Republic of Djibouti and accredited to IGAD. We exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, particularly regional peace and security, and opportunities to further strengthen IGAD–Türkiye cooperation. IGAD values Türkiye’s longstanding friendship with the region and its continued engagement in advancing peace, stability and shared prosperity.

On the occasion of Uganda’s 64th Independence Day, I extend my warm congratulations to H.E. President @KagutaMuseveni, the Government and the people of Uganda. 🇺🇬 As a founding member of IGAD, Uganda plays an important role in advancing regional peace, stability and integration. I commend Uganda’s continued commitment to our shared regional aspirations and reaffirm IGAD’s dedication to strengthening our cooperation towards a peaceful, integrated and prosperous region. Happy Independence Day, Uganda!

Africa’s evolving security challenges demand not only strong, well-equipped armies, but also greater cooperation beyond the battlefield. I joined African defense leaders at the Closing Ceremony of the inaugural African Conference of Chiefs of Defense Forces on Military Operations Other Than War in Uganda, presided by H.E. President @KagutaMuseveni. I underscored the need for Africa’s military institutions to champion lasting peace as the foundation of development, strengthening civil-military cooperation to advance national, regional and continental prosperity. I commend Uganda for convening this important dialogue towards a more peaceful, secure and prosperous Africa.

On the margins of the Military Operations Other Than War conference in Kampala, I met H.E. Gen. @mkainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda, for an exchange on regional peace and security. We discussed Uganda’s important role in supporting stability across the region and the need for stronger cooperation in responding to shared and emerging security challenges. I thanked H.E. Gen. Muhoozi and the Government of Uganda for convening this important gathering, bringing together defence leaders and partners around a common agenda for peace, security and regional cooperation.

I extend my congratulations to H.E. @AbiyAhmedAli on his re-election as Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. I wish him every success in his renewed mandate and the people of Ethiopia continued progress, unity and prosperity as the country advances its national priorities. IGAD reaffirms its commitment to continued engagement with the Government and people of Ethiopia in support of peace, stability, regional cooperation and shared prosperity.

I extend my congratulations to H.E. Ahmed Shide on his election as Speaker of the House of People’s Representatives of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and to H.E. Muferihat Kamil on her election as Speaker of the House of Federation. I wish them every success in their respective mandates and in the important responsibility of guiding Ethiopia’s parliamentary institutions during the new term. IGAD looks forward to continued engagement with Ethiopia’s institutions in advancing regional peace , integration and shared prosperity.

On the margins of #UNGA81, I received H.E. Dr Annette Weber, EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, at the IGAD offices in New York. We discussed the evolving peace and security situation in our region and the need to continue working together to de-escalate tensions and advance dialogue.

Sudan needs the full weight of regional and international partners working together. At today’s first Quintet and Quad meeting on Sudan, I joined fellow leaders to discuss how we can align our efforts to end the fighting, secure unhindered humanitarian access and advance a credible path to peace. I called on all partners to act with the urgency this crisis demands. The Sudanese people cannot wait for another round of promises.

The dawn of Super Intelligence is already giving our region powerful new tools to anticipate drought, protect livelihoods and improve health. On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York, I met H.E. Dr Abdul Kamara, Acting Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery at @AfDB_Group. We discussed matters of mutual interest, particularly support for IGAD’s Regional Super Intelligence project and progress across our joint project portfolio. I thank the Bank for its continued partnership.

A warning can save lives. The means to act on it can save livelihoods. On the margins of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York, I signed an agreement with the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (@AGFUNDProgram) to advance micro-insurance and climate risk financing across the IGAD region. Together, we aim to help communities act on early warnings before droughts and floods become disasters. I thank AGFUND for its partnership in building a more resilient region.

On the margins of #UNGA, I met H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State. We discussed peace, security and humanitarian challenges across the IGAD region. We agreed on the importance of sustained diplomatic efforts to support mediation and ease tensions. IGAD remains committed to engaging all partners in pursuit of peace.

Pleased to meet H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani (@MBA_AlThani_), Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, on the margins of UNGA81 in New York. IGAD values its relations with the Government and people of Qatar and looks forward to deepening our cooperation in advancing peace, stability and shared prosperity across our regions.

As the 81st United Nations General Assembly begins, international cooperation faces a decisive test. Conflict, climate shocks and economic uncertainty transcend borders; our response must do the same. I joined world leaders at today’s opening session in New York, reaffirming IGAD’s commitment to partnerships that translate multilateralism into peace, resilience and shared prosperity for our people.

Sudan today stands at the top of the world’s humanitarian emergency indicators: the highest number of people requiring humanitarian assistance globally–33.7 million–and the world’s largest hunger and displacement crisis, all within three years of war. As of today, El Niño looms, threatening to compound the crisis through further floods and drought. Yet the war continues. Speaking at the High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Sudan convened by France and partners, I called on all international actors to place the Sudanese people at the centre of all efforts, support the de-escalation of the conflict and unite behind one Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned peace process.

Pleased to meet H.E. @ahunnaeziakonwa, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa, on the margins of UNGA. I congratulated her on her appointment and wished her every success in this important role. We exchanged views on Africa’s peace, security and development priorities and agreed to work closely in advancing African-led solutions that respond to the aspirations of our people.

Met with H.E. @DicarloRosemary, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs on the margins of UNGA. Our discussions focused on the peace and security challenges confronting the region, and the need to intensify our coordinated efforts to achieve meaningful progress.

The IGAD region and the Middle East share more than geography; our peace, security and prosperity are deeply interconnected. On the margins of UNGA in New York, I held productive discussions with H.E. Soltan bin Saad Al Moraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar. We exchanged views on regional peace and security and agreed to deepen cooperation that advances stability and shared prosperity across our regions.

Our food systems are on the front line of climate shocks, conflict and economic uncertainty. With El Niño approaching, delay carries a human cost. Today in Addis Ababa, I joined ministers as they endorsed regional frameworks on seed policy and agri-food systems investment—turning the spirit of collective action reaffirmed at the 74th Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Council into practical measures for regional resilience. IGAD stands ready to support Member States in moving decisively from commitment to implementation—protecting lives, livelihoods and our shared future.