17 African GCM Champion Countries Convene in Egypt Ahead of IMRF 2026

News -  Global 01 April 2026 17 African GCM Champion Countries Convene in Egypt Ahead of IMRF 2026 Delegations from African GCM Champion Countries met in Cairo to align priorities and strengthen cooperation on migration. Photo: IOM 2026/Nadine Noureldin

Cairo, 1 April 2026 – The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) co-hosted today the Ministerial Meeting of African Champion Countries for the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM). The meeting comes at a critical moment ahead of the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF), scheduled to take place in New York next month. 

The event brought together Ministers and high-level representatives from 17 African GCM Champion Countries, namely Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eswatini, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe. 

The meeting served as a high-level platform to align African priorities, consolidate shared positions, and reinforce the continent’s leadership in advancing evidence-based, development-focused migration policies and practices. 

“Egypt views the GCM as a comprehensive framework that addresses migration in all its aspects, safeguards the interests of all stakeholders, and respects national sovereignty, while enhancing its development impact,” said H.E. Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs. “We adopt a balanced approach focused on promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration, expanding labor mobility, reducing irregular migration risks, and supporting skills development to advance socio-economic growth.”  

Delegations reviewed progress since the first IMRF in 2022 and reaffirmed that Africa remains one of the most active regional groupings within the GCM Champion initiative, demonstrating strong regional cooperation and leadership. They also reaffirmed that most of the African migration occurs within the continent, underscoring the need for balanced, fact-based narratives that accurately reflect migration realities, while taking stock of the efforts undertaken in the implementation of the GCM since its adoption in 2018. 

Egypt underscored the importance of multilateralism and whole-of-government approaches, highlighting the country’s IMRF preparations. Hosting this Ministerial Meeting reflects Egypt’s dedication to ensuring a coherent and unified African voice at the upcoming IMRF. 

“Migration affects every country on this continent, and African governments are tackling it seriously – expanding pathways for workers, strengthening cross-border cooperation, and building systems that work for people,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “The IMRF is the moment to make sure that work shapes the global conversation.” 

At the conclusion of the meeting, the African GCM Champion Countries adopted the Joint Ministerial Statement and a Joint Pledge for IMRF 2026, reaffirming their shared commitment to the GCM and to the principles of solidarity and shared responsibility. 

The joint statement calls for a unified African position at the IMRF and underscores priority areas such as expanding regular pathways and labor mobility schemes, enhancing data systems, supporting diaspora engagement, advancing climate-responsive mobility, and improving dignified return and reintegration systems. It further encourages deeper cooperation to combat smuggling and trafficking networks, strengthen border management, and enhance legal identity frameworks, where applicable. 

The meeting sent a clear message that Africa is united in its determination to shape global migration priorities and cooperation frameworks in line with its priorities, realities, and aspirations. The commitments outlined in the Joint Ministerial Statement reflect a shared conviction that migration, when managed cooperatively and humanely, can drive sustainable development, regional integration, and long-term stability.  

IOM, together with the United Nations Network on Migration, stands ready to support Member States in ensuring that African priorities are clearly reflected throughout the IMRF process. This includes providing technical support, elevating African perspectives, supporting national reporting, and accompanying States in the implementation of their commitments. 

You can read the Joint Ministerial Statement here. 

For more information, please visit IOM’s Media Centre.

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