May 24, 2023 (ENTEBBE, Uganda): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in collaboration with the Government of Uganda and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with support of the government of Swiss held the 12th National Coordination Mechanism for Migration, today, in Entebbe, Uganda,
The main objective of the three days meeting is to provide a platform for an all-inclusive, open, and comprehensive conversation on the national migration priorities, as well as mechanisms to ensure coherent and effective migration discourse in the country.
In his Opening Remarks, Commissioner – Douglas Asiimwe, the Chairperson of the National Coordination Mechanism for Migration, Republic of Uganda said that Uganda has made progress in the implementation phases of the Kampala, Nairobi and Djibouti Declarations among others which are underway.
The Commissioner emphasized that Uganda is working towards finding a solution to the crisis in Sudan which is critical in the maintenance of peace and security in the region and Uganda.
“We call on IGAD Member States to continue to operationalize some of these commitments.” He stressed.
In her opening remarks, Madam Lucy Daxbacher, IGAD Head of Mission to the Republic of Uganda explained that the primary and overlapping drivers of human mobility in IGAD Region include disasters linked to natural hazards, environmental degradation, the adverse effects of climate change, conflict, food insecurity, lack of jobs, loss or vulnerability of livelihoods and the search for better economic opportunities.
The Chief of Mission of International Organization for Migration Uganda -Mr. Sanusi Tejan Savage on his part expressed that IOM remains grateful for the great partnership with Office of the prime Minister of Uganda and IGAD over the years, to advance the work of the National Coordination Mechanism.
The Meeting brought together participants from government Ministries, Departments, agencies and representatives of UN and IGAD secretariat.
The meeting is expected to review the 2023 National Coordination Mechanism priorities to realize a coherent 2023 migration governance agenda aligned with the national realities.
The National Coordination Mechanism is a Government led inter-agency platform established to; coordinate existing and emerging migration issues and; facilitate cooperation among relevant stakeholders with migration-related functions to ensure that there is a whole government approach for migration governance that is harmonized, aligned and coordinated and was adopted in 2017 in IGAD member states.
