By Fatoumatta L. Sisay
Members of the National Coordination Mechanism on Migration (NCM) recently had a capacity building training on the Global Compact on Migration (GCM), in Kololi. The workshop, facilitated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Gambia through the UN Network on Migration The Gambia, was meant is to build the capacity of NCM members to enable them accurately report on migration in The Gambia. In a statement read on behalf of the Permanent Secretary I, Ambassador Lang Yabou, Director Ndumbeh Saho stated that the gathering marked a significant step forward in the nation’s commitment to uphold the principles and objectives of the Global Compact on Migration, which reaffirms Government’s pledge to safeguard the rights, dignity and well-being of all migrants.
She expressed the need to have a national implementation for the GCM, Director stated: “Having a National Implementation Plan will not only serve as a roadmap for addressing migration challenges but also as a framework for strengthening the resilience of our communities and protection of migrant rights. In addition, this plan will reflect the government’s commitment to foster international cooperation, promote safe migration pathways and uphold the human rights of all individuals involved in the migration process. National Programmes Officer - Migration Management, IOM Aji Sukai Cham, stated that this was the first of a series of trainings, which will involve members of the NCM, civil society and the UN Country Team focal points on Migration.
The Gambia has made significant steps in migration reporting, having moved from reporting on 15 priority objectives to reporting on all 23 GCM objectives, respectively. The Global Compact on Migration is a tool designed to support international cooperation on the governance of international migration. It also provides governments with tangible options for countries to select which policies they can use to address the most pressing issues around international migration. Furthermore, the GCM aims to address aspects of international migration while protecting the human rights and dignity of migrants under the guidelines in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, The Addis Ababa Action Agenda informed by the Declaration of the 2013 High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development.
