ADDIS ABABA — November 7, 2025 (HOAREC&N) — A delegation from the Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre and Network (HoAREC&N) took part in the official launch and national awareness event of the MECMEA Project last week in Djibouti. MECMEA, an initiative focused on managing the impacts of environmental change and conflict on mobility in Eastern Africa, is supported by the European Union (EU) and implemented through the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

The HoA-REC&N team, consisting of senior leadership, program, research, and fundraising units, utilised this opportunity to share experiences, exchange ideas, and gain insights from regional counterparts. Their active participation in technical discussions and networking sessions underscored HoA-REC&N’s position as a regional convener and knowledge broker.  The event represented a notable achievement for the region, enhancing the visibility of the MECMEA initiative and facilitating new partnerships and networking opportunities. Ongoing collaborations are currently being pursued.

The event served as the formal launch and awareness-raising platform for the MECMEA Project, which tackles the intricate intersections of environmental change, conflict, mobility, and climate resilience in Eastern Africa. The main objective is to foster inclusive dialogue and create synergies among regional stakeholders addressing climate and displacement challenges.

Prof. Mekuria Argaw, the Executive Director of HoAREC&N, delivered a keynote address that underscored the significance of regional engagement and advocated for collaborative action and institutional synergy.He reiterated HoA-REC&N’s dedication to promoting regional collaboration on climate resilience, mobility, and policy coherence.

John Moi Ajjugo, Regional Programme Coordinator, delivered a presentation on the project’s context and justification, emphasising the interplay between climate, conflict, and mobility in the Horn of Africa. He highlighted the importance of tackling challenges related to climate-induced human mobility through inclusive, evidence-driven policy discussions and initiatives.

Alebachew Adem, serving as the Research and Fundraising Coordinator, presented a policy review that pinpointed gaps and opportunities within the governance of climate displacement.

Furthermore, PanAfricare Kenya, a member of the MECMEA consortium, presented implementation updates from multi-stakeholder forums and training sessions aimed at media professionals, emphasising the connections between climate and mobility.  The Mixed Migration Centre (MMC) presented the Climate Mobility Dashboard, featuring data from Djibouti, at the event.

The event took place at the Sheraton Hotel in Djibouti and attracted around 40 participants. This included government representatives from the Djiboutian ministries of Interior and Environment, embassies and consulates from IGAD member states such as Ethiopia and Kenya, the EU Delegation to Djibouti, international organisations like ICMPD and IOM, along with academic institutions, NGOs, and civil society organisations.

Djibouti, a pivotal nation regarding migration challenges in the Horn of Africa, was the centre of local initiatives. Association Djibouti Nature outlined its action plan for the local implementation of the MECMEA project, highlighting the significance of collaboration with both local and international stakeholders to tackle migration challenges. The delegation undertook a journey along the eastern migratory route to acquire first-hand knowledge of migration issues in Djibouti. (HoAREC&N)