Simon Oswan

Protecting Coastal Lives and Livelihoods Through Marine Watch. As part of #IGAD's effort to develop a climate early warning system for Blue Economy resources and services (Marine Watch), a technical team from the Agriculture and Environment Division (AED) and IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC) is undertaking a field mission in Djibouti to assess national needs, existing capacities and priority areas that will inform the design of the Marine Watch. The initiative is being advanced through the African Development Bank-supported BE Prosper Project and will strengthen access to timely and reliable climate information to support better planning, and protect lives and livelihoods of coastal communities. #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

Building on the East Marine Watch. The #IGAD Agriculture and Environment Division and ICPAC is developing for the first time the climate early warning system for Blue Economy resources and services (Marine Watch). The IGAD team is on a field mission in 3 pilot Member States (Djibouti, Somalia and South Sudan) to undertake a needs assessment through the AfDB-supported BE Prosper Project. #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

IGAD Executive Secretary Hosts Partners from Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland This morning at the IGAD Headquarters in Djibouti, the IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. @DrWorkneh, received partners from Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland for discussions on the contribution of the ISAP project to IGAD’s institutional strengthening and its support for the organization’s regional mandate. The Executive Secretary expressed IGAD’s appreciation to the governments and people of Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland, and their continued commitment to regional cooperation, resilience, and integration. #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

IGAD Regional Plastic Pollution Prevention Strategy The IGAD region has been a pioneer in environmental protection and the promotion of blue and green economies across the continent. It was the first @_AfricanUnion Regional Economic Community to develop a Blue Economy Strategy. Member states are also leading efforts to ban single-use plastic bags and are implementing stricter policies to protect the environment. Today, on International Plastic Bag Free Day, we celebrate another important milestone—the adoption of the IGAD Regional Plastic Pollution Prevention Strategy by member states in December 2025. This strategy supports member states in utilizing existing national strategies, promoting learning, and encouraging collaboration to create a greener and more sustainable Horn of Africa. Download strategy: igad.int/download/igad-regio… Happy International Plastic Bag Free Day! Supported by @SweinEthiopia

On the sidelines of the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, the IGAD delegation engaged with representatives from the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM) and the Embassy of Sweden's Regional Environment Team to strengthen collaboration on Blue Economy development in the #IGAD region. Together, we will advance capacity building in Marine Spatial Planning, Marine Protected Areas, plastic pollution prevention, and gender-responsive Blue Economy initiatives. Stronger partnerships for a sustainable and resilient blue future. @SweinEthiopia #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture #BlueEconomy

Blue foods are key to Africa's resilient future. At the High-Level African Blue Food Leadership Roundtable, Dr. Eshete Dejen, Head of the Sustainable Environment Protection Unit (SEPU) at IGAD's Agriculture and Environment Division, called for greater investment in fisheries and aquaculture to strengthen food security, create livelihoods, and drive sustainable economic growth. While the #IGAD region is rich in aquatic resources, these remain largely underutilised. Dr. Dejen urged the development of a dedicated Blue Food System for Resilience Programme (BFSRP) to place blue foods at the heart of Africa's food systems transformation. It's time to unlock the power of blue foods for a more resilient and food-secure Africa. #BlueEconomy #OneRegionOneFuture #FoodSecurity #IGAD #RisingWithIGAD

🌊 IGAD Advances Regional Blue Economy Agenda at the Our Ocean Conference An IGAD delegation led by Dr Eshete Dejen is participating in the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, the first edition of the conference to be held in Africa. IGAD is using this platform to advance the region’s Blue Economy agenda, focusing on blue foods, sustainable fisheries, marine and aquatic resources, coastal livelihoods, and food security. With the IGAD Regional Blue Economy Strategy already endorsed and Member States supported in developing national strategies, IGAD continues to promote coordinated action for sustainable ocean governance, regional cooperation, and inclusive economic growth. The Blue Economy remains central to building a resilient, food-secure, and prosperous IGAD region. #OurOceanConference #BlueEconomy #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture #SustainableOceans #FoodSecurity

🌿 Happy International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 🌍 This year’s theme, “Acting locally for global impact,” highlights the importance of local action in protecting ecosystems, conserving biodiversity, and building a more sustainable future for our region and the world. #IGAD continues to work with Member States and partners to strengthen biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable natural resource management across the region. Through Blue Economy initiatives, marine protected area conservation, mangrove restoration, and community livelihood diversification programmes, IGAD is supporting efforts that protect the region’s rich biodiversity while promoting sustainable development and resilience for local communities. IGAD remains committed to advancing regional cooperation and practical solutions that safeguard biodiversity, strengthen environmental sustainability, and support livelihoods for present and future generations. 🎥 Watch Dr. Eshete Dejen, Head of the Sustainable Environment Protection Unit (SEPU), IGAD Agriculture and Environment Division, share insights on biodiversity conservation and regional environmental sustainability. ✨ Local action for biodiversity creates lasting regional and global impact. Read more: igad.int/strengthening-trans… #InternationalDayForBiologicalDiversity #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

Strengthening Regional Action on Fisheries Monitoring and Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation in the IGAD Region The Agriculture and Environment Division of IGAD and AU-IBAR are jointly undertaking a regional training workshop on Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS) and Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation for the IGAD Member States to combat, deter and prevent unreported, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, The training also focuses on aquatic biodiversity conservation. The training is taking place in Mombasa, Kenya from 17th to 19th February 2026, and is attended by Fisheries and Environment Experts/personnel drawn from the following IGAD Member states: Djibouti; Ethiopia; Kenya; Somalia; South Sudan; Sudan and Uganda. This initiative is in line with IGAD’s Blue Economy program implemented with the Sida-supported project entitled “Enhancing Blue Economy in the IGAD Member States for Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Diversification.” #RisingWithIGAD #OneRegionOneFuture

Advancing Uganda’s Fisheries for a Resilient Blue Economy Today in Entebbe, the IGAD Blue Economy delegation held strategic discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries as part of the ongoing mission to document Uganda’s fast-growing fisheries and aquaculture sector. This engagement supports IGAD’s wider effort to generate and scale best practices in Blue Economy development—mapping key actors, documenting economic contributions, and identifying community-driven technologies that strengthen sustainable aquaculture. The mission also places strong emphasis on promoting private-sector participation to drive innovation and regional trade. By deepening collaboration and evidence-based learning, IGAD is advancing a more resilient, competitive, and inclusive Blue Economy for the region. #BlueEconomy #RegionalResilience @SweinEthiopia

Strengthening Food Safety and Export Compliance in Uganda On Day 2 of the mission, the IGAD delegation assessed Uganda’s fish export value chain, visiting Lake Bounty Group, a major processor of Nile Perch fillet supplying EU markets, and Chemiphar Laboratory, an accredited facility supporting export compliance through rigorous food safety testing. The visits highlighted the importance of strong regulation, reliable laboratory services, and coordinated value chain oversight in safeguarding market access. IGAD remains committed to strengthening food safety systems, boosting competitiveness, and supporting Member States to meet global export standards. #RegionalTrade #FoodSafety #RisingWithIGAD @SweinEthiopia

🌊 Opening the 4th Steering Committee Meeting: Advancing a Resilient Blue Economy IGAD today launched the 4th Steering Committee Meeting of the Blue Economy Project in Addis Ababa, bringing together Member States, partners, and experts to review progress and chart the next phase of regional cooperation. Mr. Joachim Beijmo, Head of regional Development Cooperation for Africa, Embassy of Sweden in Ethiopia, highlighted that the project has laid a strong foundation for Blue Economy development in the region, strengthened the research–science–policy link, and earned recognition within IGAD management as one of the organisation’s flagship programmes. The meeting provides a platform to assess final results, align national and regional priorities, and reinforce long-term Blue Economy governance as the initiative approaches its conclusion. IGAD reaffirms its commitment to building a sustainable, prosperous, and better-integrated Blue Economy for the region. @Sida @SweinEthiopia #IGADBlueEconomy #RisingWithIGAD #RegionalIntegration

Somalia Advances Blue Economy Governance with IGAD Support IGAD with support from the Government of Sweden, today launched the national workshop to strengthen Somalia’s National Blue Economy Coordination Platform in Mogadishu. The meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy, brings together national stakeholders and IGAD experts to enhance coordination, governance, and resource mobilisation for the effective implementation of Somalia’s Blue Economy Strategy. Discussions focus on aligning national priorities with the IGAD and African Union Blue Economy Strategies, integrating Blue Economy objectives into Somalia’s development plans, and establishing a functional framework for inter-sectoral collaboration. #RisingWithIGAD #IGADBlueEconomy #RegionalResilience @SweinEthiopia

Workshop on Strengthening Uganda’s Blue Economy Coordination Platform Concludes with Field Visit 🇺🇬 The workshop in Kampala concluded with a visit by the IGAD Blue Economy team and national stakeholders to the Kajjansi Aquaculture Research and Development Centre (ARDC) in Uganda. The visit provided valuable insights into Uganda’s advanced aquaculture research and innovations in promoting sustainable fisheries and livelihoods. Participants exchanged experiences on scaling up climate smart aquaculture practices in the IGAD region through the lBlue Economy frameworks developed with the financial support of the Government of Sweden (SIDA). #RisingWithIGAD #IGADBlueEconomy #SustainableGrowth #Innovation #Aquaculture @ardckajjansi @SweinEthiopia