IGAD BRIEF UPDATE REPORT TO THE SPS COMMITTEE

The following communication, received on 12 October 2025, is being circulated at the request of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

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The IGAD Center for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD) is a regional technical Center of IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development), a regional economic community serving the eight member States in Eastern Africa (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda). Technical support provided for the above member States by IGAD/ICPALD during the reporting period to enhance transboundary animal disease control and livestock trade in the region, complementing the national development efforts of member States, includes:

1  joint planning meetings for surveillance and vaccination calendars against transboundary animal disease (TAD), and synchronized vaccination programmes for Tog Wajaale and Dikhil clusters

1.1.  ICPALD organized cross-border joint planning meetings to harmonize surveillance and vaccination calendars and to launch synchronized vaccination programmes in the Tog Wajaale cluster (Ethiopia–Somalia) and the Dikhil cluster (Djibouti–Ethiopia). The meeting brought together members of the national SPS committees, chief veterinary officers, quarantine heads, and sub‑national cross-border TAD control technical committees.

1.2.  The cross-border meetings reviewed the implementation status of cross-border TAD surveillance, updated the harmonized surveillance and vaccination calendar, and developed a joint implementation plan for priority TADs. The meeting also finalized a joint cross-border resource mobilization concept note and launched the synchronized vaccination along the Ethiopia-Somalia and Djibouti-Ethiopia borders. In addition, participants reviewed the Cross-Border TAD Control MoU implementation framework, discussed ways to strengthen governance structures, and proposed actions to enhance coordination, collaboration, and information sharing among cross-border and regional partners.

1.3.  This initiative is expected to significantly reduce the incidence and spread of TADs through harmonized surveillance, coordinated vaccination, and strengthened cross-border collaboration. In doing so, it will enhance the quality and delivery of animal health services and reinforce sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) systems across member States. Ultimately, these efforts will promote greater trust, transparency, and compliance with international sanitary standards - thereby facilitating safe, reliable, and competitive livestock and livestock products trade both within the IGAD region and with external markets.

1.4.  Acknowledgement: IGAD/ICPALD is grateful to member States, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) for their collaboration, and for financing the implementation of the above activity.

2  the 8^th inter-regional joint regulatory bodies (CVOs) technical forum and the 4^th private sector forum of IGAD exporting and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) importing countries

2.1.  ICPAL convened two back-to-back inter-regional meetings aimed at strengthening livestock trade and investment linkages between the IGAD and MENA regions. The fora served as strategic platforms to review the status of livestock and livestock products trade, identify bottlenecks, and enhance collaboration among regulatory authorities and private sector actors to ensure compliance with sanitary and trade requirements.

2.2.  The first meeting brought together regulatory bodies from IGAD exporting countries, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda, and their counterparts from MENA importing countries including Egypt, Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The second meeting engaged the private sector, linking IGAD livestock exporters with MENA importers to promote direct business partnerships and investment opportunities.

2.3.  The inter-regional engagements resulted in strengthened dialogue between the two regions, enhanced mutual understanding of regulatory frameworks and market requirements, and a shared commitment to improve compliance, facilitate trade, and attract investment in the livestock sector - thereby contributing to resilient, transparent, and competitive regional livestock value chains.

2.4.  Acknowledgement: The meetings were funded by FAO/Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE) through the letter of agreement (LOA-SFE-3607859) signed between FAO and IGAD/ICPALD.

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