Botswana Prepares to Host 8th Pan African Forum on Migration (PAFoM-8)
The forum aims to propose concrete initiatives showcasing the symbiotic connection between trade and the free movement of people, particularly labour.
GABORONE, Botswana — Botswana is gearing up to host the 8th Pan African Forum on Migration (PAFoM-8), a pivotal event scheduled to take place from October 31st to November 2nd, 2023, writes Baboloki Semele.
The forum will revolve around the theme "Bolstering Free Movement and Trade Nexus in AfCFTA: Optimizing Benefits of Migration, Labour Migration, and Development."
This forum aspires to align with the 2023 African Union theme, "Acceleration of AfCFTA Implementation," by exploring the intricate relationship between the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Free Movement of Persons, Migration, and Labor Migration across the continent.
With the aim of delving into the nexus between trade and migration, PAFoM-8 will place special emphasis on the experiences of both women and men migrant workers, addressing ways to highlight the benefits derived from integrated economic development in Africa.
The primary objectives of PAFoM-8 are to enhance the understanding of the relationship between migration, labour migration, free movement, and trade, with a focus on socio-economic benefits.
The forum aims to propose concrete initiatives showcasing the symbiotic connection between trade and the free movement of people, particularly labour.
This, in turn, contributes to the realization of the African Economic Community single market, fostering discussions on the removal of barriers hindering the Free Movement of People in Africa.
PAFoM-8 will also explore the impact of legal identity and border management on free movement and AfCFTA and examine the role of digital technological advancements in collecting accurate data and generating vital statistics related to Free Movement, Labour Migration, and Migration for development.
Key anticipated outcomes include the sharing of documented experiences, lessons learned, and best practices related to migration and trade nexus initiatives.
PAFoM-8 also aims to develop and affirm recommendations for strategic actions to optimize labor migration and promote AfCFTA.
The Pan African Forum on Migration (PAFoM) is a continental interstate dialogue framework on migration convened by the African Union (AU). It serves as a platform for African Union Member States and other stakeholders to engage in discussions on various migration and human mobility topics in Africa.
In line with the AU Agenda 2063, which introduces the "African Passport and free movement of people" within its first ten years, PAFoM seeks to transform Africa's restrictive laws on the movement of people and promote the issuance of visas to enhance free movement of all African citizens across the continent.
This encompasses free movement of people, goods, services, capital, and easy access to visas at the point of entry to any Member State.
The forum acknowledges the importance of framing free movement as a managed and non-threatening process for Africa. It aims to enhance trade, economic development, cultural exchange, tourism, and more through promoting free movement of people.
Progressive continental legal instruments and policy frameworks, in line with Agenda 2063, aim to accelerate progress toward continental unity and integration, fostering sustained growth, trade, and free movement of people.
In this context, the Joint Labour Migration Program (JLMP) for Africa, adopted in 2015, focuses on strengthening the governance and regulation of labor migration and mobility in Africa to enhance trade, integration, and sustainable development.
PAFoM-8 serves as an essential platform for engaging African Union Member States, Regional Economic Communities, and other relevant stakeholders in constructive discussions to improve migration governance on the continent, aligning with the AU Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.