70th DLCO-EA Ministerial Meeting in Ethiopia Highlights Regional Cooperation to Protect Agriculture from Desert Locusts

Addis Ababa, October 20, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia hosted the 70th Annual Ministerial Meeting of the Desert Locust Control Organization for Eastern Africa (DLCO-EA) in Bishoftu, bringing together ministers and delegates from all member states to strengthen regional collaboration against desert locusts and other transboundary pests.

Held under the theme “Safe Transboundary Pest Management for Regional Food Security,” the two-day meeting emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts to safeguard agriculture, the primary source of income and livelihood for millions of farmers across the Horn of Africa.

Speaking on the occasion, State Minister of Agriculture Meles Mekonnen highlighted that pest-related challenges cannot be addressed by any single country alone. He recalled the severe desert locust swarms that hit the region between 2019 and 2021, noting that the coordinated action of DLCO-EA, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other institutions, was critical in mitigating the impact.

“Regional cooperation and shared responsibility among member states are essential to ensure food security,” he said, urging all members to actively support the organization’s initiatives.

The DLCO-EA, established in 1962 through an international agreement signed in Addis Ababa, currently comprises nine member countries: Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Originally focused on desert locust control, the organization now also addresses other transboundary pests threatening the region’s agriculture.

For his part, DLCO-EA Director Mwesigwa Moses Rwaheru acknowledged Ethiopia’s contributions to the organization, highlighting its support in operational and technical capacities. He underscored the use of modern technologies, including drones, for surveillance and control activities, and encouraged member states to strengthen regional coordination and support.

The meeting further highlighted the critical role of information sharing, innovation, and sustainable financing to prevent pest outbreaks and protect the region’s food systems. Reports on the organization’s ongoing activities and achievements were presented and discussed throughout the summit, reaffirming the collective commitment of member states to a coordinated regional response.