Horn of Africa Climate & Water Security: Norway’s climate envoy says Ethiopia’s forestry gains are “very impressive” and crucial for regional water systems and food security, naming Somalia, northern Kenya and Djibouti as key beneficiaries. Ethiopia–China Trade: Ethiopia’s trade minister highlights fast-growing EXIM ties with China, pointing to zero-tariff access and the Addis Ababa–Djibouti railway as proof of deepening economic integration. Red Sea Shipping Risk: Djibouti Code of Conduct members are setting up a task force to respond to a resurgence of piracy and armed robbery in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden, including intelligence-sharing and faster incident response. Somalia Security Pressure: A cargo ship was boarded off Somalia, with crew safe and international forces investigating—another reminder of how quickly maritime disruption can hit regional commerce. Regional Trade Facilitation: Kenya hosts a validation workshop for the Horn of Africa Initiative Trade Facilitation Roadmap 2026–2031 covering Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan to cut border frictions. Unemployment Snapshot: New World Bank/ILO-modelled data ranks Eswatini highest in Africa for unemployment, with South Africa close behind—useful context for labour and migration discussions across the region. Aviation & Logistics: Ethiopia’s Bishoftu airport shortlist is dominated by Chinese firms, signaling continued infrastructure procurement momentum that can affect regional air cargo flows.