The 6th Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration has concluded in Kampala, with regional governments committing to ensuring safer, orderly, and dignified migration.
The forum, which brought together labor ministers from East and Horn of Africa, aimed to harmonize labor migration policies in the region.
Uganda, which has taken up the chairmanship of the Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration, urged regional governments to tighten their belts to support safer migration amidst dwindling donor support.
State Minister for Labor, Esther Anyakun, emphasised the need for collective efforts to address labor concerns and promote economic growth in the region.
“Addressing safer, orderly and dignified Migration in the East and Horn of Africa has been an area of concern is not only for member states but also to the international community” Anyakun stated
At the meeting, governments reaffirmed that due to enormous challenges faced by labor mobility, economic growth of member countries can be achieved if collective efforts and actions are not undertaken in due course amidst dwindling donor support.
Alhajji Tejan Sanusi Savage, IOM Head of Mission in Uganda said, “Migration is critical to development, and we must work together to ensure that migrants are protected and empowered to contribute to the growth and development of our region.”
The Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration has set the stage for regional governments to work together to address labor migration challenges emphasising on regular pathways for migrants to bridge the unemployment challenge and promote dignified migration.
Regional governments recognised that economic growth can be achieved through collective efforts to address labor concerns and promote safer migration.
Development partners, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), stressed the need for enhanced safer labor mobility.
