The meeting which is holding at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yola is being attended by all the governors and top government officials among other dignitaries from the six states of the zone.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, at the opening of the meeting, said security challenges in the region require collaborative efforts.
Zulum called on the Federal Government to assist the zone in overcoming some of its problems such as the deplorable condition of roads, lack of functional rail lines, and underutilisation of the waterways among others.
The governor commended President Bola Tinubu for his determination to ensure prevailing peace in the zone and Nigeria.
He assured all that the governors will continue to safeguard regional peace and collective development of the region.
He called on his counterparts to be committed to creating more opportunities, stimulating small industries, and building an agricultural value chain to address the alarming rate of unemployment and poverty in the region.
On his part, the host governor, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State said the forum, since its inception has charted a new course and attracted the needed attention to the region, adding that through the efforts of the forum, the North East states have won the battle against insurgency and restored peace and stabilization to the region.
While renewing the commitment of the forum to overcome the security challenges faced by the region, Fintiri said the forum will continue to work together to ensure robust development, peace, and tranquillity in the region.
