Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Senior International Organization for Migration (IOM) officials met for a Continental Policy Coordination Committee (CPCC) Meeting from May 7-9, 2024, that deliberated on how to better align IOM’s strategic goals and priorities in Africa as well as policy and programmatic responses to the evolving migration dynamics on the continent.

IOM staff from different offices and units in Africa and Headquarters discussed the ongoing IOM restructuring and how to work together to effectively address the complex and multifaceted challenges of migration in Africa.

Chief of Staff, Mohamed Abdiker said the meeting aimed to explain how the regional and continental strategies for Africa that IOM is developing are connected. He said there was a need for more coordination among country offices, regional offices, and IOM’s Special Liaison Office in Addis Ababa to respond to the demands of Member States and to put migration at the forefront of the African Union, its regional economic communities (RECs) and other partners.

“Understanding the motivations behind why African nations join IOM and what they hope to gain from their membership is essential,” he said. He added that by aligning programmes with the priorities of Member States and fostering stronger collaboration between the Special Liaison Office in Addis Ababa and Regional Offices, IOM can better serve the needs of African countries and their people.

The officials discussed how to streamline the three objectives in IOM's global strategy into the development of IOM’s strategy for Africa. The three are saving lives and protecting people on the move, driving solutions to displacement, and facilitating pathways for regular migration.

The meeting identified potential bottlenecks, opportunities, and resources, and deliberated on how to strengthen important facets such as partnerships, funding, data, learning, innovation, and communication.

“The CPCC is a key platform for dialogue and coordination among IOM offices in Africa, as well as with our partners and stakeholders. Furthermore, it aims to enhance the coherence and effectiveness of IOM's policy and programmatic responses to the complex and evolving migration dynamics in the continent,” said Mariama Cisse Mohamed, Director of the SLO in Addis Ababa.

Senior Staff from the African Union Commission (AUC) and Organs and UNECA joined on the last day to discuss how to work better together on the IOM-AUC Joint Implementation Plan, the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) and its Africa review, the first AU-IOM Senior Officials Meeting scheduled later in 2024 and strengthening migration within the UN 2030 agenda.

IOM and AU are preparing to renew their three-year cooperation agreement signed in 2022 to improve migration policies in alignment with UN Agenda 2030 and AU's Agenda 2063. The meeting highlighted key issues for IOM’s continental and regional strategies to be included in the new agreement and its joint implementation plan.

Representing the AUC’s Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development Commissioner Minata Samate Cessouma, Professor Julio Rakotonirina, Director for Health and Humanitarian Affairs, emphasized the AUC’s dedication to keep collaborating with IOM on key priorities and actions in Africa.

For more information contact: Eric Mazango, emazango@iom.int