Urban Dimensions of Forced Displacement in the IGAD Region

Cities Alliance co-hosts the upcoming Thematic Roundtable on the Urban Dimensions of Forced Displacement in the IGAD Region, in partnership with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), UNHCR and UN-Habitat, from 22 to 23 May 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The two-day roundtable will provide a space for strategic reflection and coordinated action on the growing urban dimensions of displacement in the IGAD region. 

Drawing on its experience with the Sustainable Urban Integration of Displacement-Affected Communities (SUIDAC) Programme, active in nine secondary cities across Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cities Alliance will share key insights and lessons. Four mayors from SUIDAC partner cities (Koboko, Arua, Jigjiga, and Assosa) will also take part in the discussions.

The roundtable builds on SUIDAC’s ongoing Regional Dialogue, which is co-led by local authorities and displacement-affected communities, and aims to strengthen municipal leadership and promote inclusive, city-led responses across the region. 

The event will feature high-level sessions and technical dialogues organised around five core themes:

• Urbanisation and displacement

• Access to services and livelihoods

• Protection and safety

• Host community–displaced person relations

• Innovative solutions and partnerships

Cities Alliance will be represented by Director Greg Munro, who will deliver a keynote address during the opening session. He will also participate in a session on Innovative Financing and Partnerships, exploring ways to unlock resources and scale up inclusive urban responses in partnership.

Tsigereda Tafesse Mulugeta, Cities Alliance Country Coordinator for Ethiopia and Somalia, will co-lead several thematic sessions throughout the event.

The roundtable is expected to deepen the understanding of urban displacement dynamics in the IGAD region and strengthen coordination among key actors. It will contribute directly to the ongoing implementation of the SUIDAC programme and inform regional follow-up processes, including the stocktaking meeting for the Nairobi Declaration and the IGAD Support Platform, scheduled for late 2025.