ADDIS ABABA — 27 August 2026: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and Sri Lanka have renewed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on regional peace, security and other areas of mutual interest, during a high-level diplomatic meeting in Addis Ababa.
Mr. Abebaw Bihonegn, IGAD Head of Mission to Ethiopia, accompanied by Mrs. Nejat Abdulrahman, Head of the IGAD Security Sector Program (ISSP), hosted H.E. Nirmala Paranavitana, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Ethiopia and Permanent Observer to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
The meeting focused on identifying opportunities for closer cooperation between IGAD and Sri Lanka, particularly in areas related to peace and security, maritime security, regional stability and security-sector capacity building.
The two sides discussed the importance of stronger partnerships in addressing emerging regional security challenges and promoting greater coordination among countries and regional institutions.
Maritime security was highlighted as an area of particular importance, given the strategic significance of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and wider Indian Ocean region to regional trade, stability and economic development.
The discussions also explored the potential for knowledge-sharing, institutional cooperation and capacity-building initiatives that could contribute to strengthening regional security mechanisms.
IGAD emphasized the importance of working with international partners such as Sri Lanka to support regional priorities and develop practical initiatives that promote peace, stability and resilience across the Horn of Africa.
The engagement forms part of IGAD’s broader diplomatic efforts to strengthen partnerships with international stakeholders and mobilize support for regional peace and security initiatives.
Both sides reaffirmed the value of continued dialogue and cooperation, with the meeting providing a platform for further engagement on shared priorities and future partnership opportunities.
The meeting underscores the growing importance of international and regional cooperation in addressing complex security challenges and advancing a more peaceful, stable and resilient Horn of Africa.
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