IGAD Hosts Thematic Roundtable on Urban Dimensions on Forced Displacement

On 22-23 May 2025, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) hosted a roundtable discussion on urban dimensions of forced displacement in Addis Ababa, in collaboration with UNHCR, Cities Alliance, UN-Habitat and other members of the core group of the IGAD Support Platform. The roundtable was organized with generous support from EU INTPA. The roundtable specifically sought to take stock of efforts made by the Governments of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda to implement their respective pledges under the GRF Multi-Stakeholder Pledge on sustainable human settlements for refugees and their hosting communities. The Governments of Ethiopia and South Sudan highlighted ongoing efforts to build inclusive settlements in response to the Sudan emergency and gave the examples of the Ura Settlement in Benishangul-Gumuz region of Ethiopia and Wedweil Settlement in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State in South Sudan.

The roundtable discussion resulted in several policy recommendations for addressing urban displacement in the context of forced displacement. Of note for the Sudan emergency response is the recommendation for IGAD Member States to develop comprehensive and integrated urban displacement strategies and policies, together with municipal and national authorities as well as displaced communities, to support inclusive and equitable planning and service delivery systems. IGAD is committed to advancing these efforts and will continue to facilitate cross-country learning exchanges among governments, municipalities, and other stakeholders engaged in urban displacement responses.

For more information, please contact Charles Obila, IGAD Support Platform Coordinator ([email protected])