4-6 May, Lusaka, Zambia –  The 2^nd Intra-Regional Forum on Migration in Africa under the theme, “Fostering Regional Integration: Facilitating Trade and Human Mobility through Enhanced Border Management” convened stakeholders from across the continent, different regions and sectors as well as countries of origin, transit and destinations with a specific objective: to exchange experiences, lessons, good practices and strategies on removing barriers to human mobility and trade in order to boost intra-Africa trade.

In line with IOM’s mandate of harnessing the development potential of migration, Director General (DG) William Lacy Swing called forth a: “clear need to re-conceptualizing borders so that they be seen not as barriers to people movement but as space for exchange where neighbouring states manage the flow of goods and people to mutual benefit”. He recommended three approaches to ameliorate intra-African trade through improving trade regime implementation, border management that seeks to both facilitate and control migration and streamlining visa regimes. 

The Government of the Republic of Zambia, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the International Organization of Migration (IOM) hosted the forum.  For more information Read  the Bulletin.