At the end of a two-day regional workshop on livestock development and drought preparedness held in Djibouti, technical experts and development partners have endorsed a programme that would enhance livelihoods of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in the Horn of Africa.

The IGAD Member States also agreed on a timeframe to finalize the study document and the programme's implementation modalities

In their recommendations, the participants also called on governments in the region to support the programme with physical, financial and human resources. They further pointed out that the interventions of the programmes should be based on regional approaches, but implemented at country levels.

Speaking at the workshop's closing ceremony, the IGAD Executive Secretary, Mahboub Maalim, thanked the member states for taking time to deliberate and validate the Study Report on Livestock Development funded by African Development Bank (AfDB).

"We undertake to mobilize resources required and domesticate the activities of the programme in the Member States, even though the problems to be addressed will be of a regional nature," Mr. Mahboub said.

In his vote of thanks, Abdirahman Beileh, AfDB Acting Director, Department of Agriculture and Agro-Industry, assured that the Bank will lead in this initiative, and will work with IGAD, member countries and all partners. He thanked all the participants and urged them to act now.

The Denmark's Ambassador to Ethiopia, Djibouti and IGAD, Pernille Dahler Kardel and the Head of the European Union Delegation to Djibouti, Nicola Delcroix, attended the closing ceremony and delivered messages of support.

On behalf of the IGAD Member States, the Head of the Ethiopian delegation moved a vote of thanks to the AfDB and IGAD for organizing the workshop. He promised that the Member States would play their part to ensure the success of the programme.