Get Guardian on GoogleThe International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have renewed discussions on the growing need for coordinated responses on cross-border migration, labour mobility and climate-related displacement.
The two institutions are seeking to deepen cooperation on migration governance, free movement, the reintegration of returning migrants and other issues affecting mobility across West Africa.
The discussions took place during a working visit by the IOM Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Sylvia Ekra, to the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja from October 26 to 28.
According to the regional bloc, the engagement was aimed at reviewing the existing partnership and identifying areas where collaboration could be strengthened to reflect the priorities of member states.
During the visit, Ekra met with the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Anthony Ogunjimi; Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Dehpue Zuo; and Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Professor Nassirou Bako-Arifari.
The visit also featured technical sessions with different directorates of the Commission, where officials examined the existing areas of cooperation and considered opportunities for further engagement.
Among the issues discussed were free movement and labour mobility, migration management, climate-related displacement and the reintegration of migrants returning to their countries of origin.
These issues have implications for regional integration, particularly as West African countries seek to facilitate movement across borders while addressing the economic, social and environmental factors shaping migration.
