By Abuja, Nigeria
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and delegates from Swedish Embassy has met in Abuja to discuss regional labour migration governance and the ECOWAS free movement regime.
The meeting which was held in Abuja, provided an opportunity for both parties to exchange views on ongoing and planned regional initiatives aimed at strengthening labour migration governance, enhancing safe, orderly and regular migration as well as supporting the effective implementation of the ECOWAS free movement protocols.
Head of Regional Development Cooperation in Africa at the Embassy of Sweden in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mr. Joachim Beijmo, who led the Swedish delegation said the discussions were anchored on recent developments in the Joint Labour Migration Programme, following the approval of the third phase of the Programme by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SADC).
Both parties highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, policy coherence and institutional coordination in advancing labour mobility as a driver of development, peace and stability in West Africa.
Reiterating its commitment, the Swedish delegation reaffirmed Sweden’s support to ECOWAS-led efforts in migration governance and free movement through strategic partnerships and programme-based cooperation.
The meeting also brought together senior officials from the ECOWAS Commission’s Directorate of Free Movement and Directorate of Humanitarian Affairs, underscoring the Commission’s integrated approach to migration governance, mobility and regional development.
ECOWAS and Sweden agreed on a shared vision to sustain dialogue and collaboration in the implementation of the JLMP Phase III and related regional frameworks.
