The two-day event, which opens on 15 November in Windhoek, Namibia, will bring together ministers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) nations to discuss ways to optimize the benefits of migration in the region and beyond.
Given the region's increasing economic, cultural and political shifts, many of which are attributable to the movement of its people within and across borders, this Conference has become increasingly significant.
Bernardo Mariano, IOM Regional Representative for Southern Africa, says "Operating from a mutual platform is vital to the SADC region's ability to effectively manage migration on a sustainable basis, with the aim to positively contribute to development of the region. Policies which support the needs of mobile populations while equipping Governments and the communities to benefit from migration are possible, given opportunities for dialogue."
The conference will provide a forum for policy makers, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations to discuss in broad terms mechanisms to maximize the benefits and minimize the challenges related to migration, and to identify potential areas for improved regional cooperation on this front.
Attending the Conference will be IOM Director General William Lacy Swing, who will meet with governments and stakeholders dealing with migration in the region.
"MIDSA has created a platform for migration-related issues to be discussed in an informal setting, increasing awareness of both the challenges and best practices in migration management in fields including migration and health, human trafficking, border management, and the facilitated movement of persons," says Director General Swing. "This ministerial conference shows there is a commitment to move towards an action-oriented agenda."
MIDSA is a consultative process for SADC member states (Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe) initiated in 1999 allowing members to meet in an informal and non-binding scenario and to exchange views on common challenges and solutions on migration issues.
For more information contact:
International Organization for Migration
Puseletso Mompei
IOM Pretoria
Tel: +27 (0) 7168 999 66
E-mail: pmompei@iom.int
or
Government of the Republic of Namibia
Julia Hamhata
Tel: +264 61 2832665
E-mail: jhamhata@gmail.com