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Excellencies Ambassadors here present,
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Distinguished Experts from Various African Union Member States,
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Distinguished Representatives of International Organizations,
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The Director, Department of Social Affairs, African Union Commission (AUC),
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Experts from the AUC,
It is my singular honour to welcome you all to this Fourth Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons of the African Union which is being held virtually. As per custom, the STC will conduct its business in two segments, starting with the Experts meeting from 19 to 21 April, 2022 and to be followed by the Ministerial segment on 23rd and 24th May, 2022 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
This Fourth Ordinary Session of the STC on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons follows up on the Third Ordinary STC Meeting that took place at the Headquarters of the African Union Commission in 2019. Three years later, the issue of migration, refugees and displaced persons is still of strategic importance at both the global and the African Union levels. Distinguished delegates will agree with me that international migration has indeed grown in scale, scope and complexity to be one of the main policy issues. It may be noted that the number of international migrants currently estimated at 272 million globally has already surpassed the 2050 projection of 230 million despite the recent global mobility restrictions as a result of COVID-19. Further, over one third of the worlds forcibly displaced persons are in Africa, including 7.8 million refugees and asylum seekers and 23.6 million internally displaced persons. Accordingly, Africa has no option but to double its efforts to address issues related to migration, refugees and internally displaced persons. It is against this backdrop that the African Union continues to give due consideration to issues related to migration, refugees and internally displaced persons.
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
It is encouraging to note that there is growing appreciation of the importance of migration, refugees and internally displaced persons. It is noteworthy that, for the first time, migration has been mainstreamed and explicitly referenced in the global development agenda as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes that migration is a powerful driver of sustainable development for migrants and their communities. It brings significant benefits in the form of skills, strengthening the labour force, investment and cultural diversity, and contributes to improving the lives of communities in their countries of origin through the transfer of skills and financial resources. With regards to the migration and development nexus, it is instructive to note that the political, social and economic processes of potential destination countries will also determine how, where and when migration occurs. If migration is poorly governed, it can also negatively impact on development. Migrants can be put at risk and communities can come under strain.
In addition to mainstreaming migration in the SDGs, I wish to observe that the world has witnessed historic change at the global level with United Nations Member States coming together to finalize two global compacts on the international manifestations of migration and displacement: (i) the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), and (ii) the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). Accordingly, the adoption of Global Compacts on Migration and Refugees underscores the recent global shift to put migration, refugees, asylum seekers and Internally Displaced Persons at the centre stage in policy discourse in Africa and beyond. Of the 23 GCM objectives, I wish to single out some which present opportunities for the African Union to effectively collaborate and cooperate meaningfully within the sphere of migration namely:
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GCM Objective 2: Minimize the adverse drivers and structural factors that compel people to leave their country of origin;
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GCM Objective 4: Ensure that all migrants have proof of legal identity and adequate documentation;
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GCM Objective 5: Enhance availability and flexibility of pathways for regular migration;
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GCM Objective 7: Address and reduce vulnerabilities in migration;
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GCM Objective 15: Provide access to basic services for migrants;
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GCM Objective 16: Empower migrants and societies to realize full inclusion and social cohesion;
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GCM Objective 21: Cooperate in facilitating safe and dignified return and readmission, as well as sustainable reintegration; and
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GCM Objective 23: Strengthen international cooperation and global partnerships for safe, orderly and regular migration.
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
According to the united nations high commissioner for refugees there were 82.4 million forcibly displaced persons worldwide at the end of 2020 as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order.
Currently, the world is focusing more attention on the war in Ukraine and the resulting humanitarian and refugee crisis in and around that country where more than 10 million people have been forced from their homes, including 6.5 million displaced across the country and 3.7 million abroad as refugees seeking safety in neighboring countries.
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
Africa hosts over a third of the world’s forcibly displaced persons, including 7.8 million refugees and asylum seekers and 23.6 million internally displaced persons, thus Africa has no option but to redouble its efforts to address the problem. Accordingly, the adoption of the global compacts on refugees underscores the recent global shift that people who are forced to flee from their homes because of persecution must be given every chance to keep growing and developing even in exile. The New York declaration presents a shift in the way we handle refugees as host countries and that the refugees should be included in national development programmes so that they are not treated as separate groups.
The drivers of displacements are complex, including conflict, inter-communal violence, persecution, as well as climatic and natural disasters. Some have lived in displacement for several years, while others have fled their homes more recently. Despite numerous returns in the region, the number of those displaced remains high. Considering that a significant proportion of displacements in the region stem from conflicts, many conflicts remain active and there is a need to find durable solutions.
Host countries are also facing similar challenges from the climate crisis and they keep their doors open for refugees even during the covid-19 pandemic. However, funding from the donors has reduced which affects provision of basic services such as food, shelter, education and health care.
Furthermore, to advance the aspirations of Agenda 2063, the AU Assembly adopted the Common Africa Position on Humanitarian Effectiveness, which articulates Africa’s new humanitarian architecture with a view to address the root causes and achieving durable solutions. Furthermore, I wish to note that Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want resonates well and is aligned to the SDGs. More importantly, I wish to underscore that some aspirations of Agenda 2063 and the SDGs may not be fully achieved if the African continent does not address the challenges posed by migration, humanitarian crises and forced displacement.
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
This Fourth Ordinary Session of the STC will deliberate on the following issues over the next three days:
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Consideration of the Draft Policy Document on the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) in Africa
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Consideration of the Draft Policy Document on the Prevention of Smuggling in Migrants in Africa
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Consideration of the Report of Experts 6th Pan African Forum on Migration (PAFOM)
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Consideration of the Progress Report on Establishment of Africa Migration Centers in Bamako, Khartoum and Rabat
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Consideration of the Draft Statutes of the African Humanitarian Agency (AfHA)
The meeting will also consider and validate documents for the Humanitarian Summit and Pledging Conference (Ministerial STC) scheduled for 25 – 27 May 2022 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The documents to be reviewed include the following:
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Background Paper for Theme 1- Climate Change, Disasters, and Displacement in Africa
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Background Paper for Theme 2- Addressing Food Security and Nutrition in challenges in the humanitarian space
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Background Paper for Theme 3- Health challenges in the humanitarian situation in Africa
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Background Paper for Theme 4 – Post-conflict Reconstruction Development for refugees and internally displaced persons in Africa
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Background Paper for Theme 5 – Revitalizing Humanitarian Financing in Africa
Furthermore, the meeting will consider the Report for the implementation of Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, among other reports.
In conclusion, I wish to encourage all the participants to actively contribute to the discussion of the above referenced topics in order to ensure a rich outcome of this Fourth Session of the STC. As the outgoing Chair of the 3rd STC, it is my utmost pleasure, once again to welcome you all distinguished excellencies and experts to this virtual Fourth Session of the STC on Migration, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons and wish you fruitful deliberations.
I thank you for your kind attention.
