A high — level migration summit in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital has been dominated by discussions on the humanitarian and economic impact of regional instability, overshadowing the main agenda of improving migration governance across the continent. The meeting, organized under the framework of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Global Compact for Migration, brought together African ministers and stakeholders ahead of a global review forum in New York. Chaired by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and IOM Director-General Amy Pope, the summit aimed to enhance migration governance but was marred by concerns over insufficient global support for host countries like Egypt.
During the summit, Abdelatty expressed dissatisfaction with the level of international support for refugees, emphasizing the need for assistance not only for Egyptians but also for the refugees who have been forced to flee their countries due to circumstances. “We are completely dissatisfied with the level of international support being provided, not to help Egypt or Egyptians, but to help our refugee brothers and sisters who were forced by circumstances to flee their countries and seek refuge here in Egypt, “he stated.
Egypt is a significant host country for refugees fleeing conflicts across the region, with officials noting that the burden has intensified as instability continues. Despite the challenges, global migration leaders, including Pope, emphasized the importance of viewing migration as an opportunity rather than a crisis. “The opportunities, though, with migration are also significant.
The world needs migration. In a planet where we are fighting significant challenges across the globe, finding safe, orderly, and regular ways for people to move, whether it’s because they need humanitarian protection, or whether it is because the world needs the dynamism, the labour mobility, the new ideas and innovation that migration brings, “Pope.
The summit highlighted the urgent need for coordinated global action to balance humanitarian support with long — term strategies to harness the benefits of migration, particularly as conflicts drive displacement.
Source: Africanews
