HoA-REC&N and Partners organized the third Annual Review Meeting to reflect on the achievements of the Horn of Africa Environmental Sustainability and Resilience regional initiative.

The Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre and Network (HoA-REC&N) conducted its third Annual Review Meeting on the HoA-ESR project in Hargeisa Somaliland. It was hosted by Barwaago Voluntary Organisation (BVO), HoA-ESR’s implementing partner in Somaliland at Mansoor Hotel in Hargeisa between August 10^th and 13^th.  The review meeting was organized to update Sida on the HoA-ESR progress of activity for the year 2022 and also to assess opportunities, challenges, and lessons as the initiative enters the final stages of its implementation.

Ms Ulla Andrén, Head of the Regional Development Cooperation in Sub-Saharan Africa and Mr. Ayele Kebede, Program Manager, Regional Development Cooperation Africa, Environment and Climate, Sida serving also as the contact person for the HoA-ESR, and Ms Rahel Hailu, the Comptroller at Sida participated in the annual review meeting.

Together with HoA-ESR Implementing Partners (IPs) and academia from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somaliland, and South Sudan, about 46 participants attended the annual review meeting on the third day (August 12^th), while a number of government dignitaries and NGO community operating in Hargeisa, Somaliland participated in a field trip to Geed Deeble on August 11^th.

The key Somaliland government officials who graced the occasion include H.E Shukri Haji Ismail Bandar, Minister of Environment and Climate Change (Guest of Honour); H.E. Dr Axmad Aadan Buuxane, Minister of Planning and National Development; H.E. Abdikadir Iman Warsame, Minister of Agricultural Development; Mr. Mohamoud Hassan Saad, Ministry of Trade and Tourism, and Mr. Mohamed Abdilahi Duale, Director General of Environment and Climate Change.

In her closing remarks, Ms. Ulla Andrén, Head of Regional Development Cooperation, Sida expressed her gratitude for the third annual review meeting which included other activities such as a field visit, HoA-REN Regional Council (RC) Meeting, and meeting of the HoA-ESR’s Finance Managers. The Third Annual Review Meeting was truly engaging and informative.

Appreciation award by H.E Shukri, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Somaliland