Africa-Press – Ethiopia. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is preparing to implement a new five year Migration Action Plan (MAP) with a view to ensuring a safe, orderly and well managed migration in the region.
IGAD in partnership with GIZ is convening a regional validation workshop for the revised IGAD Migration Action Plan which will be implemented over the coming five years
In 2021, the IGAD Secretariat commissioned an evaluation of the MAP 2015-2020 to take stock of the key achievements, identify some best practices learned on different actions undertaken as well as limitations or emerging issues on migration that transpired with in the implementation period.
The evaluation considered activities that have been undertaken in 2021 and 2022 to reflect on actions.
The revised MAP considers the changing migration dynamics with in the region by incorporating new strategies and approaches to protect the wellbeing of migrants and refugees throughout their journey.
It also identified eight priority areas that reflects the complexity and multidimensionality of migration in the region and aimed to address its economic, governance, social and security aspects.
Speaking at the opening of the two day validation workshop, Director of Health and Social Development Division at IGAD, Fathia Alwan said we are gathered here to collectively validate the new IGAD Migration Action Plan which would serve as a vital implementation tool for IGAD policy framework.
The development of this action plan has been a collective effort and crafted also through extensive consultation with all members states.
“As you all know migration is a complex phenomenon that requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach. The IGAD migration policy framework set out a strategic vision and also a guiding principle to ensure a safe, orderly and well managed migration with in our region,” she said.
The plan will translate into concrete action providing also a road map for effective implementation, she said adding that IGAD is confident that inputs during this meeting will contribute significantly to the finalization of the action plan and also reinforce commitment to a coordinate and harmonize approach to migration governance in the region.
National Partnership Coalition Secretariat Head Abreham Ayalew on his part said governing migration with a comprehensive approach is very important specially in the region, to this end Ethiopia has crafted it’s migration policy.
He added that this IGAD action plan is very much helpful to our efforts and it reflects Ethiopia’s realities and soon after “we validated this action plan, we expect to align our national efforts and engagement with this important document.”
“Strengthening the capacity to address irregular migration in the IGAD region is very important. As you all know human trafficking, smuggling of migrants and also irregular labor migration are serious challenges of Ethiopia and the IGAD region. Consequently tackling irregular migration is one of the key policy issues outlined under the IGAD regional migration policy framework,” he said.
The head expressed his hope that this action plan should boldly include measures specifically to address irregular migration such as strengthening national laws, policies and strategies and institutional capacity as well as expanding legal options for migration.
The main objectives of the meeting is to review and validate the revised Migration Action Plan to ensure it addresses the diverse needs and priorities of Member States and the IGAD Secretariat
It also aims to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing among Member States on the revised Migration Action Plan priority areas among others.
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