In a decisive move to tackle the growing threat of desert locusts and other transboundary pests, the Ministers in charge of Agriculture, Heads of Delegations, and representatives from the member states of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) convened in Nairobi. The conference, attended by delegates from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda, sought to devise robust strategies to safeguard food security and livelihoods in the region.
The meeting was marked by an expression of gratitude towards the Government and the people of the Republic of Kenya for their warm hospitality, and an acknowledgment of the ongoing efforts by IGAD member states and partners to enhance pest management across borders. Special appreciation was extended to IGAD’s Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) and the Desert Locust Control Organization for Eastern Africa (DLCO-EA), with support from the World Bank, for organizing the summit.
The delegates recalled the significant resolution from the 34th Extraordinary Summit of IGAD Heads of State and Government in February 2020, which highlighted the urgency of collaborative efforts in desert locust control and the necessity for external assistance. This resolution remains a cornerstone for the region’s collective action against pest invasions.
Deep concerns were voiced regarding the increasing vulnerability of the region to climate change, manifesting in extreme weather events like droughts and floods, which exacerbate the locust threat and further strain food security and socio-economic stability. The conference echoed sentiments from the IGAD Regional Ministerial Meeting on Risk Transfer and Transboundary Pests Management held in August 2023, emphasizing the critical role of cooperation, information sharing, capacity building, and joint research in effective pest control.
The delegates acknowledged the significant contributions from development partners, including the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), for their financial and technical support. They also recognized the efforts of the Platform in seeking resources to bolster DLCO-EA’s capabilities.
In a united declaration, the representatives committed to a series of actions aimed at strengthening food systems and enhancing resilience against pests. These actions include prioritizing the creation of a roadmap to strengthen food systems and resilience to risks and shocks, promoting innovative technologies such as drones, satellite monitoring, and digital data tools for pest surveillance and control, and reaffirming commitment to collaboration, information sharing, capacity building, and joint research.
They also plan to establish a comprehensive data and information center at DLCO-EA to enhance regional cooperation and pest management, encourage member states to fulfill financial obligations to strengthen DLCO-EA and promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, including the use of biopesticides.
The declaration emphasizes utilizing indigenous knowledge for monitoring, early warning, and rapid response, commending Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somalia for their MoU on transboundary pest management, and prioritizes training programs for local communities and authorities.
Additionally, the representatives committed to investing in research for cost-effective, environmentally friendly pest control technologies, highlighting the influence of climate change on pest outbreaks the importance of early warning systems, and aligning pest management with climate change strategies.
The conference concluded with a reaffirmation of the collective commitment to the sustainable management of desert locusts and other transboundary pests, ensuring the protection of agricultural livelihoods across the IGAD region. The shared dedication to proactive and innovative approaches marks a significant step forward in securing the region’s food security amidst escalating climate challenges.
