ADDIS ABABA (SONNA) – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in partnership with the Government of Ethiopia, has announced it will host the 3rd Edition of the IGAD Media Awards in Addis Ababa later this month. The event, scheduled for November 29–30, 2025, is set to honor excellence in journalism across the Horn of Africa, with a specific emphasis on climate change awareness and resilience.
In a joint press briefing held on Friday, Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Nebiyat Getachew, alongside the Head of the IGAD Mission to Ethiopia, Abebaw Bihonegn, outlined the extensive preparations for the ceremony. The awards aim to recognize media professionals whose reporting highlights the realities of climate change while promoting solutions that shape communities across the region.
According to Mr. Bihonegn, approximately 400 journalists from across the continent will compete in eight distinct categories, including television, radio, print, and digital media. A special category has also been designated to honor the Best Female Journalist. The initiative is designed to encourage constructive, community-based journalism that not only informs the public but also mobilizes policy action and fosters resilience among Member States.
Spokesperson Nebiyat Getachew noted that the selection of Ethiopia as the host venue aligns with the nation’s strides in green economic development. He added that Ethiopia’s role as the upcoming host of the 32nd Session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-32) serves as further evidence of the success of the country’s Green Legacy Initiative, championed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The event is expected to attract between 2,000 and 2,500 attendees, bringing together regional policymakers, journalists from IGAD member states, innovators, and development partners. By bringing climate change issues to the forefront of public discourse, the awards seek to strengthen public diplomacy and enhance people-to-people relations throughout the Horn of Africa.
