Djibouti Hosts Forum to Tackle Horn of Africa’s Climate Challenges

Djibouti, January 19, 2026 Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh on Monday opened the International Climate Adaptation Forum (ICAF 2026), a high-level three-day gathering aimed at addressing the escalating environmental threats facing the Horn of Africa.

The forum, running from Jan. 19 to 21, brings together national and international stakeholders, including climate experts, development partners, and government officials, to develop strategies against recurrent droughts and water scarcity.

Speaking at the opening ceremony in Djibouti City, Guelleh emphasized that climate change has evolved into a "daily, palpable and sometimes brutal reality" for the region. He underscored that adaptation is now a cornerstone of Djibouti's national development strategy, critical to ensuring food security and coastal protection.

Alongside the forum, the President launched the Doctoral Alliance for Climate, a research initiative designed to train a new generation of African scientists. The alliance seeks to foster "South-South and North-South" cooperation to enhance scientific sovereignty and knowledge sharing across the continent.