The 74th Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers will take place on 15 September 2026 in Djibouti City, Djibouti, bringing together Ministers of Foreign Affairs and designated representatives of IGAD Member States to deliberate on key regional peace and security issues and other matters of importance to the region.

The meeting will provide an opportunity for Member States to review prevailing peace and security developments, assess ongoing regional efforts, and strengthen collective approaches towards peace, stability and cooperation across the IGAD region.

The Council will also discuss institutional matters, including issues related to the implementation and strengthening of the IGAD Treaty, in support of the Authority’s mandate and evolving regional priorities.

IGAD Member States remain committed to working collectively to address the challenges facing the region and to promote peace, stability and prosperity for the people of the IGAD region.

The Council is expected to issue a communiqué outlining the outcomes and decisions of the meeting.

The Council of Ministers is one of the principal policy organs of IGAD and plays a key role in guiding the work of the Authority and advancing cooperation among Member States.

The convening of an extraordinary session—a format reserved for high-priority or urgent regional developments—underscores the complex political, security, and humanitarian dynamics shaping the Horn of Africa.

The Council serves as the primary diplomatic engine for regional peace initiatives, with deliberations expected to evaluate ongoing peace processes in conflict zones like Sudan and South Sudan.

Additionally, given Djibouti’s strategic location on the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, maritime security, freedom of navigation, and trade stability along the Red Sea corridor remain vital shared priorities. The meeting also reflects an effort to transform the bloc into a more proactive, rules-based regional economic community by strengthening the implementation of the IGAD Treaty. 

Originally founded in 1996 as a successor to the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development, IGAD was established to expand regional cooperation beyond environmental issues to encompass political security, economic integration, and humanitarian aid.

Based in Djibouti, IGAD operates as one of the official Regional Economic Communities recognized by the African Union. Positioned directly between the Assembly of Heads of State and the Executive Secretariat, the Council of Ministers plays a pivotal role in formulating policy, recommending action plans, and monitoring the regional implementation of peace treaties and security frameworks.