IGAD unveils youth-led climate coalition to strengthen resilience in Eastern Africa

IGAD unveils youth-led climate coalition to strengthen resilience in Eastern Africa

IGAD unveils youth-led climate coalition to strengthen resilience in Eastern Africa

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The coalition is expected to serve as a long-term platform for collaboration between governments, institutions and young people, with stakeholders stressing that its impact will depend on sustained investment and effective implementation across the region

Eastern Africa is facing growing climate stress as droughts, floods and erratic rainfall continue to disrupt agriculture, livelihoods and food security across the region.
Against this backdrop, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has unveiled a new regional youth-led climate coalition in Nairobi aimed at strengthening coordination on climate action and transforming food systems across member states.
The initiative, known as the IGAD Regional Youth Coalition on Climate and Climate-Resilient Agri-Food Systems, is designed to consolidate fragmented youth-led efforts into a structured regional mechanism focused on climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, innovation and green jobs.

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According to officials, it will also enhance access to climate information and strengthen youth participation in policy processes across member states.
The launch comes at a time when the IGAD region is facing intensifying climate vulnerability, with large parts classified as arid or semi-arid and agriculture heavily dependent on rainfall. According to IGAD Youth Envoy Sam Ogwal, the region’s geography and economic dependence on rain-fed agriculture leave it highly exposed.
“Our region is among the most climate-vulnerable globally. Nearly 70 per cent of our landmass is arid or semi-arid, and agriculture, largely rain-fed, remains the backbone of our economies,” Ogwal said.

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He added that the consequences are already visible, with climate-related disasters displacing millions of people and deepening food insecurity, while also stressing that young people are disproportionately affected but increasingly central to solutions.
Concerns over the growing climate pressure were echoed by the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), which warned that the region is simultaneously experiencing extreme droughts and floods, highlighting gaps in forecasting and preparedness systems.
“We live in a region where we are either dealing with water scarcity or excess water. I came from Mogadishu last week. There were floods there, and I think the same thing is happening in Nairobi,” said ICPAC Director Dr Abdi Fidar.
According to Abdi, stronger climate prediction systems, improved early warning mechanisms, and wider use of technology will be critical in reducing the impact of climate shocks, particularly on vulnerable populations, including young people.
On his part, Youth Affairs and Creative Economy Principal Secretary (PS), Fikirini Jacobs, said the coalition represents an opportunity to harness Africa’s demographic advantage by placing young people at the centre of climate solutions.
“This is our opportunity to bring forth the energy, hope and determination of young people to push systems and drive meaningful change,” Jacobs said, adding that Africa’s youthful population is a key resource in addressing systemic climate challenges.
Youth leaders from Ethiopia and Kenya welcomed the initiative, saying it marks a shift from fractured and under-supported efforts toward a coordinated regional framework capable of scaling grassroots innovation and influencing policy.
The coalition is expected to serve as a long-term platform for collaboration between governments, institutions and young people, with stakeholders stressing that its impact will depend on sustained investment and effective implementation across the region.

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