HoAREC&N Effectively Showcases Its Flagship Initiatives at the ACS-2

ADDIS ABABA – September 12, 2025 (HoAREC&N) – The Horn of Africa Regional Environment Center and Network (HoAREC&N) stated that it has successfully achieved its target objectives at the second Africa Climate Summit (ACS-2) that was held for the first time in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

In an internal briefing following the Summit’s conclusion, HoAREC&N announced that it had effectively communicated its success stories, strengthened partnerships among its network members, and drawn important lessons from transboundary interventions. The organization also called for further action to intensify similar regional initiatives.

Professor Mekuria Argaw, Executive Director of HoAREC&N, highlighted the Center’s role in convening a side event that showcased regional interventions linking environmental restoration, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience across transboundary ecosystems. “We presented our strong results in energy efficiency technologies and underscored the potential to scale up carbon projects through external investment. This attracted significant partnership interest from a wide range of stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, and academia,” he said.

showcasing the organization’s achievements, building networks, and creating opportunities for stakeholders to exchange views and explore partnerships. “This participation also allowed us to contribute to the African climate agenda, particularly in advancing Africa-led solutions and addressing climate finance gaps,” he stated.

Professor Mekuria further highlighted the active involvement of network members and project partners in the Summit, noting their contributions to various sessions and efforts to promote the network. “Representatives from Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia/Somaliland, and Sudan participated. We also took the opportunity to officially thank the former President of the Network, Prof. Muwaiwa Shaddad, for his leadership and dedicated service over the past eight years,” he added.

According to him, HoAREC&N, together with its partners, made a strong case at ACS-2. This marked the first time the organization had participated in a regional event of such scale. Despite its limited prior experience, HoAREC&N successfully achieved its goals. Professor Mekuria stressed that the most important outcome was the opportunity to share the Center’s long-standing experience and to draw lessons from others. “Organizing and participating in such a large event is complex and demanding. We learned valuable lessons that will guide us in future engagements. Above all, the event reaffirmed the value of teamwork—everyone played their role effectively, and the spirit of unity was key to our success,” he remarked.

The Executive Director expressed his appreciation to the HoAREC&N team for their strong commitment, which ensured the organization’s success at ACS-2. He emphasized that dedication, teamwork, and organization were critical to achieving this outcome.

Program Coordinator John Ajjugo echoed his reflections, describing ACS-2 as highly commendable. He noted that active engagement through the side event and pavilion sessions expanded HoAREC&N’s networking opportunities and demonstrated its strong commitment to addressing climate challenges in the Horn of Africa. According to him, participation not only showcased the organization’s dedication but also helped foster collaborations and innovative ideas for sustainable development.

Mr. John explained that ACS-2 enabled HoAREC&N to highlight its initiatives, raise awareness, and influence positive change on a broader scale. “I believe HoAREC successfully achieved these goals by actively participating, sharing valuable insights, and building meaningful connections and networks that can drive future impact and innovation in the region,” he said.

 According to John, the ACS-2 helped HoAREC&N to showcase HoA-REC&N’s commitment to addressing climate challenges, promote initiatives, and foster collaborations with global and regional partners. It also aimed to raise awareness about their works and influence positive change on a broader scale. “I believe HoAREC&N successfully achieved these goals by actively participating, sharing valuable insights, and building meaningful connections and networks that can drive future impact and innovation in the region,” the program coordinator said.

Speaking about the side event and panel discussion, John noted that the overwhelming attendance underscored the significance of the event and the relevance of HoAREC&N’s work. “This opportunity allowed us to showcase our initiatives, exchange ideas with diverse stakeholders, and strengthen our network. Overall, the event provided a platform for learning, collaboration, and visibility, which will undoubtedly benefit our ongoing efforts in climate and biodiversity action,” he remarked.

 Reflecting on his own role, John said he was pleased to present on issues such as climate and conflict-induced migration, drawing new insights from hotspot areas in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya. “This was a great success, as it helped raise awareness, foster collaboration, and deepen understanding of local contexts—all of which are essential for developing effective strategies moving forward,” John said. He added that while the presentations were strong, bringing the theme of climate financing more explicitly into the discussions would have added further value.

Research and Fundraising Coordinator and lead event organizer, Alebachew Adem, described the three-day Summit as highly successful and an important platform for sharing experiences and drawing lessons.

Alebachew added that the pavilion significantly enhanced HoAREC&N’s profile and visibility. “Many were eager to visit us. Our team was strong and achieved the goals we had planned,” he said. (HoAREC&N)