Abdi Jama

Intergovernmental Authority on Development

IGAD was created in 1996 to supersede the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD), which, was founded in 1986. The Assembly of Heads of State and Government met in January 1986 to sign the agreement that officially launched IGADD with headquarters in Djibouti. The Assembly of Heads of State and Government met in January 1986 to sign the agreement that officially launched IGADD with headquarters in Djibouti. The State of Eritrea became the seventh member after attaining independence in 1993 and South Sudan joined in 2011. In April 1995 in Addis Ababa, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government made a declaration to revitalise IGADD and expand cooperation among Member States. On 21st March 1996 in Nairobi, the Assembly signed the "Letter of Instrument to amend the IGADD Charter" establishing the revitalised regional organisation with a new name, "Intergovernmental Authority on Development". IGAD with expanded areas of regional cooperation and a new organisational structure was launched during the Summit of the Heads of State and Government on 25th November 1996 in Djibouti. The Vision To be the premier regional organisation for achieving peace, prosperity and regional integration in the IGAD region The Mission To assist and complement the efforts of the Member States through increased cooperation to achieve: - Food security and environmental protection; - Promotion and maintenance of peace and security and humanitarian affairs; and - Economic cooperation and integration.