Participants during the third Inter-ministerial summit on Migration Governance in Juba. |IOM/Nabie Loyce|
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the government of South Sudan commenced the third inter-ministerial summit on migration governance in Juba, South Sudan from 17-19 December 2024.
The three-day summit aims to strengthen collaboration among government ministries in developing a unified approach to migration governance that promotes sustainable development and social cohesion.
The event brought together high-level representatives from government ministries, international partners, civil society, and academia.
Addressing the opening ceremony, the First Vice President, Riek Machar Teny, noted that migration is a powerful force that can help South Sudan grow as a nation.
He urged institutions with migration mandates to harmonize policies with the regional frameworks to ensure South Sudan benefits from the positive aspects of migration.
On her part, the Minister of Interior Angelina Jany Teny said last year South Sudan ascended to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) which was a significant step for the country to address transnational organised crimes and trafficking in persons.
“South Sudan recognizes migration as a positive phenomenon; therefore, the country has put in place legal frameworks to enhance migration governance,” Angelina said.
Last year, South Sudan ascended to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) which was a significant step for the country to address transnational organized crime and trafficking in persons.”
Throughout the summit, delegates focused on developing a national migration strategy aligned with regional and global frameworks such as the African Union’s Migration Policy Framework and the Global Compact for Migration (GCM).
They worked on strengthening the migration governance framework by identifying legal, institutional, and operational gaps. Additionally, the summit looked into key areas of promoting various migration-related policies across the relevant ministries.
“Well-managed migration has the potential to drive economic growth and strengthen social cohesion,” said Asar Muhammad, IOM South Sudan Head of Operations.
“As the lead UN Migration Agency, we are committed to supporting the Government of South Sudan in its efforts to establish a unified migration governance framework. Together, we can address migration challenges while harnessing its potential for national development.” Muhammad said.
Over the years, migration has impacted several sectors in South Sudan, including health, labour, education, and security. Additionally, the country faces a range of challenges ranging from refugee inflows, internal displacement due to conflict, climate-induced migration, and labour migration.
These dynamics exert pressure on South Sudan’s institutions and resources, making effective migration governance important for sustainable economic development.
The Inter-Ministerial Summit on Migration Governance has been made possible through financial support from the European Union and IOM’s Better Migration Management.
