Activities

Experts and stakeholders from across Khartoum Process partner countries and institutions gathered in Luxor, Egypt to address the pressing challenges posed by climate displacement in conflict-affected regions. This thematic workshop convened leaders, policymakers, and specialists to explore sustainable solutions for communities most vulnerable to climate-induced displacement. In the opening remarks, the esteemed speakers emphasised the urgency of integrated strategies to mitigate the dual impacts of climate and conflict on displacement. The keynote speaker, Dr. Elizabeth Carabine from UNEP, underscored the need for transboundary cooperation, particularly in the Horn of Africa, a region facing severe environmental stressors and displacement challenges.

A high-level panel brought together prominent figures from international organisations and governmental agencies to discuss national and regional strategies for addressing climate-induced displacement in conflict-affected settings. Moderated by Andrew Harper from UNHCR, the discussion showcased insights from Ambassador Ahmed Abdel-Latif of the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Ambassador Smiljana Knez of Slovenia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Dr. Mamadou Dian Balde from UNHCR. They explored successful approaches and challenges in integrating climate adaptation, displacement management, and peacebuilding. Panellists emphasised that lasting solutions require inclusive strategies, particularly those focused on vulnerable groups and gender-sensitive approaches, to build resilience and stability in communities facing overlapping climate and conflict risks.

On September 11-12, 2024, Finland and Somalia, co-hosted the Khartoum Process thematic meeting in Helsinki, focusing on leveraging migration for sustainable development. The event gathered over 80 participants, including representatives from 13 diaspora, youth, and women organisations, to discuss how these groups can influence and contribute to migration governance and development policy.

Finland presented the National Dialogue Method, a participatory process designed to foster inclusive, constructive conversations between diverse groups in society, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered in the policymaking process.

A key highlight of the meeting was the Diaspora Innovation Hub, a dynamic platform designed to showcase the contributions of diaspora, women and youth communities to sustainable development. The Hub aimed to give a voice to the CSOs, particularly women and youth diaspora groups, by providing them with a space to network, share best practices, and engage with policymakers. This initiative underscores the critical role that the civil society plays in fostering development, cultural exchange, and policy advocacy.

The event  emphasised the need for inclusive and comprehensive migration policies that harness the potential of diaspora and youth communities. Through the discussions in the various sessions, the meeting demonstrated how collaboration between governments and civil society can lead to sustainable solutions for migration and development.

In Cairo, Egypt, from 17 – 18 April 2024, the Khartoum Process partners convened for their 10th Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), following a Steering Committee (SC) meeting on 16 April. The event drew 76 participants representing 26 African and European countries, along with 12 partner organisations. Key figures such as Assistant Minister Ehab Badawy of Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, outgoing chair Mr. Manfred Schüler of Germany's Federal Foreign Office, and representatives from the African Union Commission, European Union and ICMPD were present.

Reflecting on the German Chairmanship, the Khartoum Process made strides in addressing migration issues within the framework of the Joint Valletta Action Plan. Activities organised during this tenure tackled various challenges related to migration comprehensively, including climate-induced mobility, sustainable solutions for internally displaced persons, the benefits of applying “whole-of-government” approaches in the context of return and reintegration, and combating trafficking in persons. The Process also provided a platform for discussions on the situation in Sudan and its implications for migration and displacement in the region.

Co-hosted by Kenya and Germany, the Thematic Workshop on Enhancing Transnational Law Enforcement Partnerships on Combatting Trafficking in Persons was held on 7 – 8 February 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya. This event was a pivotal gathering that focused on strengthening transnational law enforcement efforts against human trafficking in the Khartoum Process region. This workshop brought together experts and officials from various countries and organisations, including UNODC, the Regional Operational Centre (ROCK), Frontex, the East African Community (EAC) and ICMPD, among others. The primary objectives were to exchange knowledge, raise awareness about the advantages of cross-border police cooperation, and encourage the development of formalised anti-trafficking partnerships. The workshop featured presentations, panel discussions, and case studies highlighting the necessity of comprehensive strategies and collaboration across borders.

On 14-15 November 2023, member States of the Khartoum Process gathered in Stockholm upon the initiative of Sweden and Somalia to discuss whole-of-government approaches on migration.

Responding to a variety of current migration challenges requires a wide range of government actions. Return, readmission, and reintegration are only a part of wider migration policies, which include other elements such as protection, labour migration and skills development, the migration and development nexus etc. As recalled by the Sustainable Development Goals Indicator 10.7.2 and the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration para 15, migration is a multidimensional topic that cannot be addressed by one policy sector alone. In practice planned and well-managed migration policies thus require a comprehensive “whole-of-government” approach. The Joint Valletta Action Plan (JVAP) includes such an approach throughout its five domains, where partnerships, cooperation and coordination amongst institutions are underlined throughout the Action Plan.

On 4-5 October 2023, the Khartoum Process Flagship Thematic Meeting on “Exploring the Potential of Mobility in the Context of Climate Change” took place in Berlin, Germany, co-chaired by Germany and the African Union Commission. Building on the priority outlined during the Chairmanship of South Sudan on the nexus between human mobility and climate change, Germany, the current Chair of the Khartoum Process, has picked up the thread with various events on the topic that culminated into the Khartoum Process flagship thematic meeting on 4-5 October 2023, in Berlin, Germany.

The meeting brought together approx. 100 participants from the Khartoum Process and Rabat Process member States, as well as experts from international organisations and civil society organisations to discuss the opportunities and challenges stemming from the mobility and climate change nexus, whilst paying particular attention to the situation of women and children. 

An extraordinary Steering Committee (SC) Meeting took place on 7 September 2023 in Vienna, Austria to provide an update on the state of play of the Process but also, to discuss further the modalities of the Steering Committee composition and its enlargement. The Committee reiterated their decision to enlarge the Steering Committee from 10 to 12 members, with a sixth member joining from each continent on a permanent basis. To operationalise this decision, the Khartoum Process Secretariat will launch a call for interest. Furthermore, it was agreed that the Rules odd Procedure will be update to include an additional clause that will allow Steering Committee members to select a Chair from outside the SC. The draft text along with the applications for candidature will be proposed and discussed during the 16^th Steering Committee Meeting in Cairo. This Meeting was followed by a Roundtable on the Implications of the Crisis in Sudan on Migration Flows in the Region, which provided a platform for Khartoum Process member states and organisations to share their perspectives on the situation in Sudan with a particular focus on its impact on migration realities in the region. The discussion contributed to a better understanding of the complex mixed migration flows.

Over 60 representatives from the Khartoum Process participating States, international and regional organisations as well as academia and civil society representatives met in Nairobi, Kenya on 4 – 5 July 2023. Hosted by Kenya and co-hosted by Germany, the thematic meeting of the Khartoum Process entitled Building Resilience and Ensuring the Protection of and Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The two-day discussions provided participants with a deeper understanding of internal displacement dynamics and intersecting issues, particularly within East Africa and the Horn of Africa region. Participants could explore durable solutions to internal displacement and discuss possible ways forward in line with the UN Action Agenda on internal displacement.