Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The 3rd IGAD Media Awards have injected fresh impetus into climate action across the Horn of Africa, as regional leaders highlight the vital role of robust, solution-oriented journalism in influencing public policy and bolstering community resilience.
The event in Addis Ababa gathered hundreds of journalists, diplomats, and policymakers, highlighting the increasing connection between climate coverage and the area’s security and development priorities.
IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu stated that reliable climate narratives serve as a key instrument for governments aiming to raise public awareness and secure funding for adaptation initiatives.
“Your reporting bolsters the region’s ability to address climate shocks,” he informed journalists, encouraging them to spotlight local innovations and community resilience instead of just chronicling disasters.
UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Guang Cong, stressed that environmental pressures continue to fuel conflict. He noted that precise, evidence-based reporting aids early warning mechanisms, enabling governments and aid organizations to foresee droughts, floods, and displacement.
Winning submissions captured the area’s critical climate challenges, including flood-ravaged villages in Somalia and Kenya, alongside drought-affected areas in Ethiopia, Sudan, and South Sudan. Numerous pieces showcased effective measures like climate-resilient farming, rainwater collection efforts, and extensive reforestation drives.
Officials pointed out that the exposure from these articles shapes regional policy dialogues, while IGAD advances collaboration on climate adaptation, resource oversight, and transboundary resilience programs.
By honoring journalists from all eight member states, the awards fostered greater regional unity. Organizers explained that collective narratives enable countries to spot shared threats and adopt proven strategies, enhancing readiness throughout the Horn of Africa.
Uganda will host the subsequent awards in 2026, an initiative IGAD believes will heighten cooperation amid escalating climate disruptions.
