Uganda takes charge of East, Horn of Africa ministerial migration forum
RMFM is a crucial platform convening labour and skills ministers from 11 countries in East and Horn of Africa.
KAMPALA | Uganda has taken charge of eastern Africa and Horn of Africa ministerial forum on skills and labour.
The State Minister of Children and Youth, Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, received the chairmanship of the Regional Ministerial Forum on Migration ( RMFM) during the forum's opening ceremony in Kampala on Monday.
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RMFM is a crucial platform convening labour and skills ministers from 11 countries in East and Horn of Africa.
The forum's membership includes Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
Taking the wheels from Ethiopia, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, expressed her commitment to leading the forum for the next two years in its efforts to address pressing migration challenges in the region.
Minister Amongi emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in finding solutions for labour problems in the bloc.
"As a region, we face similar challenges and opportunities regarding migration," Amongi said.
"Working together, we can develop and implement effective strategies that benefit our countries and their citizens, particularly our young people."
This leadership role signifies Uganda's commitment to addressing migration challenges and opportunities within the East and Horn of Africa region.
Some of Uganda’s key priorities during it’s chairmanship includes strengthening regional cooperation and facilitating dialogue and knowledge sharing among member states to develop and implement effective migration management policies.
The forum also seeks to promote safe and regular migration, advocate for the establishment of clear and efficient mechanisms for orderly migration, address issues like skills mismatch, ethical recruitment practices, and ensure social protection for migrant workers.
On youth employment, he forum works to align skills development programmes with the labour market demands across the region and creating opportunities for young people through intra-regional migration initiatives.
On immigration, it explores the potential of migration to contribute to sustainable development in the region by fostering the exchange of knowledge and expertise related to green technologies and climate change mitigation efforts.
RMFM significance lies in its role as a collaborative space for these nations to address migration challenges and opportunities.
Uganda will host the next high-level Sixth Ministerial Forum on Migration next year under the theme, "Harnessing the Power of Regular Migration Pathways for Youth Employment, Skills Development and Green Economy."
This new role comes after Uganda recently took chairmanship of the Non-Alligned movement and G77 + China fora.
