MOGADISHU, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African bloc, on Wednesday welcomed the ratification of the new IGAD Treaty by the Somali parliament, saying the move will spur regional cooperation.

The bloc said the endorsement by parliament marked a significant milestone in Somalia's engagement with regional mechanisms for peace, development and cooperation.

"I commend the Somali parliament and government for their decisive leadership in advancing this important milestone," IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu said in a statement.

The new treaty, adopted in June 2023, replaces the original 1996 agreement and aims to deepen regional integration, focusing on peace, security, climate resilience, economic development, and digital governance.

IGAD said that by joining fellow member states -- Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Kenya -- in ratifying the new IGAD treaty, Somalia reaffirmed its support for the collective aspirations of the region and the principles of mutual respect, partnership, and sustainable development that underpin the IGAD framework.

According to Workneh, Somalia's ratification, as IGAD marks its 40th anniversary, helps the bloc reach the required two-thirds threshold, strengthening the legal foundation for deeper regional integration and more coordinated action in trade, peace, and sustainable development across the Horn of Africa.

He said the bloc remains committed to working closely with all member states to advance the treaty's implementation and deepen regional integration for a peaceful, resilient and prosperous Horn of Africa. ■