Geneva, 31 May 2018 (ECA) - As they wrapped up their two-day meeting in Geneva on Tuesday, 29 May 2018, members of the High-Level Panel on Migration in Africa (HLPM) were in agreement about the need to change hearts and minds in the current discourse around migration.
The final report of the HLPM, which is currently under development, will seek to provide an empirical foundation for a more constructive dialogue on migration by analysing the economic effects of migration, with a focus on the benefits that migrants bring, both to their host communities as well as their home countries.
In their discussions, the Panel members were cognizant of the need to ensure that the report builds on the ongoing process towards the Global Compact on Migration (GCM), which is due to be adopted by the end of the year. The HLPM process will also seek to generate feedback for the review of migration-related targets and indicators under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 10.7 on safe, orderly and regular migration, and SDG 10.c on remittances, and SDG 16.9 on birth registration.
In addition to providing input to support the implementation of the GCM, the HLPM Report will have a strong focus on regional initiatives, such as the recently adopted African Union Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, and the Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP). The latter is co-implemented by the African Union, International Organization for Migration, International Labour Organization and the Economic Commission for Africa.
HLPM Chairperson and former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, emphasized that boosting economic growth and job creation for African youth is one of the best ways to prevent African migrants from embarking on dangerous routes to escape poverty.
In addition to demonstrating the economic benefits of migration, the final report of the Panel, which is due to be presented to African leaders at the African Union Summit in January 2019, will seek to highlight policy options to advance safe, orderly and regular migration, both within Africa as well as internationally.
Concurring with calls to address current gaps in migration data, Akinwumi Adesina, President, African Development Bank (AfDB), underscored the importance of understanding three demographic shifts - high fertility rates, the youth bulge and the jobs crisis – “which are contributing to the migration crisis.” He proposed establishing a database on Africa’s talent pool, “to help facilitate orderly migration and address desperation driven by lack of information.”
Michael Farrugia, Minister for Home Affairs and National Security, Malta, said the discussions had helped him better understand the reality of migration within and outside Africa. He stressed that Africa “should have a louder voice in the international community,” to avoid the impact of global warming, which will further drive migration in the region.
Summing up the discussions, Ms. Sirleaf said the report will not only focus on the two imperatives of economic growth and migrants’ rights, but also seek to confront “the perception versus the reality of migration.”
She said the report’s recommendations will focus on specific actions needed at the national level “to drive leaders to take action.” The HLPM Chair enumerated some proposals highlighted at the meeting, notably the need to ratify instruments to facilitate registration and free movement of migrants, reduction of transaction costs for remittances, and ensuring sufficient funding for migration initiatives.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org