Agreement establishing the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) superseded the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD) established in 1986. IGADD was originally conceived to coordinate the efforts of member states to combat drought and desertification. In 1995, the Heads of State and Governments of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda resolved to expand the mandate of IGADD and made a declaration to revitalise IGADD and expand cooperation among member states.
The agreement hereby attached establishes IGAD. Membership is open only to African States in the sub-region which subscribe to the principles (art. 6), aims and objectives (art. 7) enshrined in the Agreement. Among the aims and objectives, the following are included: a) Promote joint development strategies and gradually harmonize macro-economic policies and programmes in the social, technological and scientific fields; b) Harmonize policies with regard to trade, customs, transport, communications, agriculture, and natural resources, and promote free movement of goods, services, and people and the establishment of residence; c) Create an enabling environment for foreign, cross-border and domestic trade and investment; d) Achieve regional food security and encourage and assist efforts of Member States to collectively combat drought and other natural and man-made disasters and their consequences; e) Initiate and promote programmes and projects for sustainable development of natural resources and environment protection; f) Promote and realize the objectives of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Economic Community.
The Authority comprises these organs: a) An Assembly of Heads of State and Government; b) A Council of Ministers; c) A Committee of Ambassadors; d) A Secretariat.