IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu has called for stronger political commitment, regional cooperation and peace to safeguard groundwater resources across the region, describing water security as fundamentally about people’s lives and livelihoods.

Speaking at an African Union (AU) Summit side event titled “Unlocking Groundwater Investments Through Strategic Partnerships,” co-organized by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Dr. Workneh said groundwater management must be treated as both a development and political priority.

“Water security is ultimately about people, the girl who can attend school, the pastoralist whose livestock survive drought, the mother whose children drink clean water,” he said.

He noted that groundwater, a critical resource for millions across the Horn of Africa, should not be viewed solely through a technical lens.

“Groundwater is not only a development issue but a matter of hydro-politics, requiring stronger political commitment, regional cooperation, and peace and security to safeguard this shared lifeline in line with Agenda 2063,” Dr. Workneh said.

The IGAD chief emphasized that many aquifers cut across national borders, making collaboration among member states essential. He said shared water resources, if properly managed, can serve as a tool for stability rather than conflict.

“As IGAD, we remain steadfast in advancing collective action so that our shared waters, especially across border communities, become a foundation for peace, resilience, and prosperity across the region,” he added.

The side event brought together policymakers, development partners and regional stakeholders to explore ways of mobilizing investment in groundwater infrastructure, governance and data systems. Participants highlighted the importance of partnerships in unlocking financing and improving sustainable water management.

Groundwater plays a vital role in supporting agriculture, livestock production and domestic water supply, particularly in drought-prone areas of the IGAD region. With climate variability increasing pressure on surface water resources, experts say strategic investment in groundwater is becoming increasingly urgent.

The discussions aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 framework, which prioritizes sustainable development, regional integration and climate resilience.