August 7, 2025 (Juba, South Sudan): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has conducted South Sudan national consultation with the government and private sector on Kampala Declaration on jobs, livelihoods and self-reliance for refugees, returnees and host communities, under its Support Platform from 4th -6th , August 2025, in Juba, South Sudan.
The main objective of the national consultation is to promote the economic self-reliance of refugees, returnees, and host communities, and to work towards more sustainable and durable solutions to displacement in the IGAD region.
Speaking on behalf of the IGAD Secretariat Dr Kebede Tsegaye, Senior Coordinator of the Education, Science technology and innovation program said that the Kampala Declaration has areas for conducive legal and policy environment for economic inclusion and self-reliance to provide access to markets and finance as well as basic rights, including the right to work and freedom of movement.
According to Dr. Kebede, the declaration calls for the development of policies and regulations that promote a conducive business environment, including access to finance and markets.
In his opening remarks, Honor John Dabi, Deputy Commissioner for the Commission of the Refugee Agency, stated that the Kampala Declaration is one of the six important key priorities for the South Sudan government.
The Deputy Commissioner disclosed that the government established technical committee on durable solution which includes the implementation of the declaration. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the IGAD Secretariat, our partner organizations, and all those who have worked tirelessly to make this Declaration a reality,’ He expressed.
During the opening Ceremony, Ms. Yemisrach Benalfew, Coordinator, Strengthening IGAD’s Migration Policy Implementation (SIMPI) Project, IGAD, emphasized that the declaration urged all stakeholders to invest in the economic development of refugee-hosting areas, including through the creation of employment opportunities, the provision of goods and services, and the development of infrastructure.
In addition, she explained that the meeting raised awareness about the Kampala Declaration and provided a public-private forum for policy makers to understand what private sector partners are looking for in partnerships with the government.
Participants of the national dialogue drawn from the government ministries such as the foreign affairs and international cooperation, Commission for refugee Affairs, Education, Humanitarian affairs and disaster management, and Refugee representative and UNHCR. Partners such as Inkomoko, Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative shared their work in the areas of financial inclusion and economic inclusion of refugees, returnees and host communities.
The Kampala Declaration on jobs, livelihoods and self-reliance for refugees, returnees and host communities, is a component of the SIMPI Project—Strengthening IGAD’s Migration Policy Implementation.
Subsequently, the national Consultation meeting resulted in understanding of the private sector actors and government counterparts contributions towards the Kampala Declaration and its Action Plan in order to help break down barriers and building relationships; including, identifications of IGAD member national priorities and areas of needs to develop roadmaps that provide practical steps that government refugee departments and private sector actors can do to promote refugee economic engagement.
Finally, participants of the national dialogue on Kampala declaration provided recommendations on government’s role as well as promoting private sector and civil society’s engagement for economic inclusion of refugees and host communities.
The IGAD Kampala Declaration on Jobs, Livelihoods, and Self-Reliance for Refugees, Returnees, and Host Communities was adopted by IGAD member states in Kampala, Uganda, in March 2019.
