Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the United Network on Migration, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad, recently hosted the Interregional Dialogue on the Reviews of the Global Compact for Migration for Interstate Consultation Mechanisms on Migration in Africa and the Americas.

The two-day workshop aimed to enhance cooperation between Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean regions on migration issues, with a particular focus on labor mobility and the protection of migrant workers. The initiative sought to improve information sharing, review the progress of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) implementation, and explore collaboration opportunities at global, regional, and cross-regional levels.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Yvonne Masara, a representative from OHCHR, praised the Gambian government for its dedication and commitment to the GCM. She noted, “We recognize the Government of The Gambia for its dedication and commitment to the GCM and for creating a comprehensive framework which will aim to address the challenges, opportunities, and issues surrounding migration.” Ms. Masara also highlighted the importance of addressing human rights compliance issues in migration governance.

Permanent Secretary I of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Lang Yabou, welcomed guests from various countries to The Gambia and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing an effective global migration governance framework. He stated that The Gambia, being one of the Global Champions of the GCM, is significantly impacted by migration. “It is important to have a wholesome approach to manage migration effectively,” he emphasized.

Ambassador Yabou encouraged all stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue to strengthen collective efforts promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration, while protecting the rights of migrants and harnessing the potential of migration for sustainable development.

The event was attended by various officials from the international community, along with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government institutions.