MINISTER MAROPENE RAMOKGOPA TO ADDRESS KEY ISSUES AT SADC MIGRATION CONFERENCE

• Minister Maropene Ramokgopa will highlight the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing migration challenges at the SADC Migration Conference.
• Her address will emphasise the need to protect vulnerable groups—such as children, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities—affected by poorly planned migration.
• The four-day conference, running from 20-23 August 2024, will bring together key stakeholders from the SADC region, African Union, and international organisations to explore migration as a driver of development.

The Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms Maropene Ramokgopa, is set to deliver a pivotal keynote address at the opening session of the Migration Conference, which will be convened by the National Planning Commission (NPC) in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The opening session will take place on Tuesday, 20 August 2024.

This significant four-day conference, scheduled from 20-23 August 2024, will gather high-level and technical officials from Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states, the African Union Commission (AUC), the SADC Secretariat, United Nations (UN) agencies, international organisations, civil society, and representatives from both the public and private sectors. The conference is poised to provide a dynamic platform for stakeholders across the SADC region to engage in deep discussions about migration, particularly focusing on how it can serve as a driver of development in the region.

Minister Ramokgopa’s keynote address will underscore the critical need for enhanced collaboration across multiple sectors to effectively navigate the complexities associated with migration. She will particularly focus on the challenges faced by vulnerable groups—such as children, women, the elderly, and people living with disabilities—who are disproportionately impacted by poorly planned migration processes.

In her speech, Minister Ramokgopa is expected to advocate for more robust regional cooperation and the development of comprehensive strategies that ensure migration policies are both inclusive and protective of these at-risk populations. Her address will also touch on the broader implications of migration for the SADC region, including the potential economic and social benefits that can be harnessed through well-managed migration policies.

The conference will delve into various themes, including the legal and policy frameworks governing migration in the SADC region, the role of migration in sustainable development, and the importance of safeguarding the rights and dignity of migrants. It will also explore the socio-economic contributions of migrants to their host and home countries, while addressing the challenges of irregular migration and its impact on both migrants and local communities.

Minister Ramokgopa’s participation in this conference is seen as a critical step in shaping the future of migration policy within the SADC region. Her insights are expected to set the tone for the discussions that will follow over the course of the four days, ultimately contributing to a more coordinated and humane approach to migration in Southern Africa.