The livestock sector - our key to regional economic integration: IGAD Executive Secretary

 

Addis Ababa, 17 October 2009

 

The Executive Secretary of IGAD, Eng. Mahboub Maalim, underscored the central role that the livestock sector is playing in delivering IGAD’s revitalised agenda of regional economic integration. He further commended the IGAD Livestock Policy Initiative for its progress as the secretariat’s de facto livestock arm, in forging regional cooperation and harmonisation.

 

Speaking in a meeting of staff of IGAD’s Livestock Policy Initiative (LPI) on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at ILRI Addis Ababa, the Executive Secretary reiterated that the regional policy framework on animal health, trade and vulnerability, which is being finalised by LPI, is a fundamental instrument in delivering economic integration across IGAD’s member states. With a livestock population that is unrivalled throughout the world, that shares resources and markets across the region and that underpins the livelihoods of two thirds of the region’s 60 million poor, IGAD has become the logical vehicle for its member states to collaborate on developing the sector’s potential.

The meeting brought together senior IGAD and LPI officials. In his introductory note, Dr Dil Peeling, IGAD LPI’s Chief Technical Advisor, highlighted the importance of the regional policy framework as a foundation for regional cooperation, economic integration, and poverty alleviation. Noting the political momentum developed through LPI, IGAD’s officers Mr Ahmed Habbane and Dr Samuel Zziwa agreed an institutional study to facilitate LPI’s evolution into a Livestock Unit within the IGAD structure. Participants also acknowledged the support given by the EC, FAO and other international and regional partners in driving the initiative forward.

The meeting closed by fixing the date for the forthcoming ministerial meeting to agree the regional policy package for the 8-10th December at IGAD’s Djibouti offices.
FAO/IGAD – LPI is strengthening IGAD, its member states and other stakeholders to formulate and implement livestock sector and related policies that sustainably reduce food insecurity and poverty across the IGAD member states.

For livestock-related data and information: www.igad-data.org

 

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Left to right: H.E Eng. Mahboub Maalim, IGAD ES, Mr Ahmed Habbane, Programme Managers for Planning & Coordination at IGAD, Dr Otieno Mtula, Policy Advisor at LPI, Dr Samuel Zziwa, Programme Managers for Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security at IGAD, Dr Abdi Jama, Information Advisor at LPI and Dr Dil Peeling, Chief Technical Advisor of LPI.