OFFICIAL REMARKS Mr. Mohamed Abdi Ware, IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary

As IGAD, we clearly underscore that the geo-strategic importance of the Horn of Africa to Europe cannot be over-stated and conversely, the strategic significance of Europe to the Horn of Africa is abundantly clear. [...] The current the geopolitical context of the world has resulted to significant concerns that have impacted negatively on the socio-economic conditions of the globe, with the Horn of Africa being one of the hardest hit regions, which requires political, diplomatic and technical solutions for resolving them. [...] The deployment of the “ASPIDES” mission in the Red Sea stands as a testament to the high-level collaboration between IGAD and the EU, demonstrating our shared commitment to regional stability and security. [...] Today’s workshop provides us with another opportunity to discuss and listen to each other on our respective and inter-twined strategic priorities both in the Horn of Africa and Europe as reflected in the NDICI Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Programme 2021- 2027 and the IGAD Strategy 2021-2025, as well as the current circumstances that compels us to focus our discussion on identifying the priorities o. [...] In ensuring the active participation of RECs in the identification of priority actions contained in the MIP as well as in the selection of implementing partners and co- implementors, IGAD calls upon EU to ensure a standard and coherent cretaria in the allocation of funds between direct and indirect management methods.