Intergovernmental Authority on Development

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) () is a seven-country regional development organization in East Africa. Its headquarters are located in Djibouti City.

Current member states

• (founding member, 1986)
• (founding member, 1986)
• (founding member, 1986)
• (founding member, 1986)
• (founding member, 1986)
• (founding member, 1986)

Member status changing

• (joined soon after independence in 1993, unilaterally declared its suspension in 2007, AllAfrica.com, 23 April 2007; an exit would be effective one year after being formally declared against IGAD)

Formation

Recurring and severe droughts and other natural disasters between 1974 and 1984 caused widespread famine, ecological degradation and economic hardship in the Horn of Africa region. Although individual countries took substantial measures to cope with the problems and received support from the international community, its extent argued strongly for a regional approach to supplement national efforts.

The six countries of the region took action through the United Nations to establish an intergovernmental body for development and drought control in their region.

At a January 1986 assembly of heads of state and government, an agreement was signed which officially launched the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD).

Soon after its formation the mandate of IGADD widened, becoming a vehicle for regional security and political dialogue.

IGADD to IGAD

At an...
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