The 9th Annual Horn of Africa Regional Environment Meeting, KCB Leadership Centre, at Karen in Nairobi Kenya: July 7th to 13th, 2024 under the theme:
Maintaining Functional Ecosystems for Building Sustainable Resilience in the Horn of Africa: A Call for Collective Action
The 9th Annual Horn of Africa Regional Environment Meeting was jointly hosted by the South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO) and the Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre and Network-Addis Ababa University (HoA-REC&N-AAU) from July 7th to 13th, 2024, in Karen, Nairobi, Kenya. Environmental experts, policymakers, thematic experts and academics, and stakeholders from the Horn of Africa region convened at the meeting to evaluate the achievements of the Horn of Africa Environmental Sustainability and Resilience (HoA-ESR) initiative. A plenary session was also organized during the meeting to address the critical significance of preserving functional ecosystems in order to establish sustainable resilience in the Horn of Africa region.
The event was made possible by the generous funding support of HoA-REC&N’s development partner, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). HoA-REC&N is extremely grateful for their assistance. The funding support of Sida has had a tangible impact on the lives of numerous individuals throughout the Horn of Africa. Their dedication to international development cooperation has been crucial in addressing the environmental challenges that our communities in the Horn region are facing and promoting sustainable development.
DAY ONE – July 8th
Horn of Africa Environmental Sustainability and Resilience (HoA-ESR) Annual Review Meeting (ARM) welcoming remarks and Speeches
Figure 2. Opening Remarks by Mr. John Kamanga, Director of South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO)
Figure 3. Welcoming and introductory remarks by Prof Mekuria Argaw, Executive Director of HoA-REC&N
Figure 4. Remarks by Mr. Ayele Kebede, Program Manager Regional Development Cooperation Africa, Environment and Climate Change, Sida
Figure 5. an opening speech by Mr. Martine Mushisho, Deputy Governor of Kajiado County Government who also serves as Chairman Deputy Governors’ Forum delivered on behalf of the Guest of Honour, Governor Joseph Ole Lenku County Government of Kajiado.
Media Briefings – July 8th
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ecfEKGa7gsxODDp7AUGbdK-mhlKBJ8-E/view?usp=drive_link
Figure 6. Media briefing by Prof Mekuria Argaw, Executive Director of HoA-REC&N
Figure 7. Media briefing by Mr. Ayele Kebede, Program Manager Regional Development Cooperation Africa, Environment and Climate Change, Sida
Figure 8. Media Briefings by Mr. Martine Mushisho, Deputy Governor of Kajiado County Government, Republic of Kenya; and Chairman Deputy Governors’ Forum, Kenya – Guest of Honour
Figure 9. Mr. Martine Mushisho, Deputy Governor of Kajiado County Government, Republic of Kenya – Guest of Honour
July 10th and 11th
Between July 10th and 11th, specialists led discussions and plenaries on transboundary ecosystems, wetlands and ecological connectivity, water tower challenges in the Horn of Africa, and environmental challenges in drylands ecosystems and borderline communities. The discussion emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach to conservation and environmental management, which includes regional cooperation, community-based approaches, the promotion of sustainable management practices across transboundary landscapes, and a recognition of the critical role that all ecosystems play in maintaining ecosystem services. The intersections of research, policy, and practice were identified as important to realizing the Horn of Africa Region’s sustainable development potential.
Plenaries – welcoming remarks and Speeches
Figure 11. Welcoming Remarks by acting (HoA-REN) Network President by Prof. Prof. George Owiti, University of Nairobi
Figure 12. Welcoming remarks by Prof Mekuria Argaw, Executive Director of HoA-REC&N
Figure 13. Welcoming and introductory remarks by Prof. Worash Getaneh, Chairman, Board of Trustees, AAU VP RTT
Figure 14. Opening remarks by Mr. Ayele Kebede, Program Manager Regional Development Cooperation Africa, Environment and Climate Change, Sida
Figure 15. Dr Rose Akombo Principal Conservation of Forests, 15 billion Secretariat, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Government of the Republic of Kenya – Guest of Honour
