The Katsina State Government has expressed readiness to host the maiden two-day peace and security summit for the North-West region scheduled for between June 24 and June 25.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr Bala Salisu-Zango, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Katsina on Saturday.

According to him, the summit is organised by the North-West Governors’ Forum, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme.

He added that the event would be the first ever peace and security summit for regional cooperation for securing lives and livelihoods.

Mr Salisu-Zango explained, “As you may be aware, our state and the region have been facing numerous security challenges in recent times.

He said, “In response, the North-West Governors’ Forum, in collaboration with the UNDP, is set to host the summit in the state from June 24 to 25, 2024. This landmark event, the first of its kind in the region, will bring together stakeholders, experts, governors from the region and key partners to discuss and find solutions to address the pressing security challenges facing the area.”

The commissioner described the summit as timely, saying that it came at a crucial moment for the region as it faced mounting security challenges.

According to Mr Bala-Znago, in recent years, there has been a marked increase in incidents of banditry, terrorism and communal conflicts.

He said, “These issues have had devastating consequences for the local population, resulting in significant loss of life, severe disruption to livelihoods and widespread destruction of property. This underscores the urgent need for coordinated action and solutions to restore peace and stability to the region, comprising Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara states. Under the theme, “regional cooperation for securing lives and livelihoods,’’the summit aims to explore solutions to ongoing insecurity, focusing on promoting peace and stability while strengthening cooperation among state governments to tackle these complex issues. UNDP’s journey to address insecurity in the North-West region began in January 2024 with a peace and security workshop organized in collaboration with the Katsina State Government. By bringing together key stakeholders, this summit is expected to serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue and action, leading to concrete strategies for enhancing peace and security in the region.’’

Mr Bala-Zango added that discussions at the summit would explore sustainable approaches to advancing food security and fostering sustainable livelihoods.

He added that the summit would examine how different regional actors can support and enhance regional cooperation as well as integrated solutions for the region’s future development.

(NAN)