IOM: Inclusive Climate Action Needed to Address Impacts on Human Mobility

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director General António Vitorino indicated that a unified, multi-stakeholder action is required to address the challenges climate change poses to human mobility in Africa.

Speaking at the seventh Pan-African Forum on Migration (PAFOM) in Rwanda, Vitorino said: “This conference in Kigali provides us with a platform to call for first; increased climate change adaptation action, measures, and resources; second, strengthened support to countries and people most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, as well as addressing Loss and Damage and, third, more inclusive climate action, mobilizing all stakeholders, from Governments, to civil society, including public and private finance."

PAFOM brought together representatives of 39 African Member States, the African Union Commission (AUC), and other partners for four days to focus on the impact of climate change on human mobility on the continent.

DG Vitorino noted that international fora such as the Climate Change Conferences of the Parties (COPs) have the potential to strengthen the momentum for action which has taken root across this continent, and further mobilizes resources and capacities to proliferate that action.

A renewed sense of urgency must be brought to COP27, the “Africa COP” in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, he added.

Ministers for Environment, Migration, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of AU Member States, released a Communiqué that proposes responses and actions to avert, minimize and address displacement linked to climate change, including ways to facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration pathways through more adaptation, loss and damage measures, and other policies.

Senior officials from the government, the African Union Commission (AUC), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), cities, academia and international organizations had deliberated on the impact of climate-induced mobility and the role that climate change has on displacement, including exchanging knowledge to inform policymaking.

It's worth mentioning PAFOM is an African interregional forum and consultative process for migration and human mobility for Africa established in 2015, and meets annually under a chosen migration theme, with a Minister’s meeting every two years.