NAIROBI, KENYA (SONNA) – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is currently hosting its 3rd Ministerial Conference on Labour, Employment, and Labour Migration in Nairobi, Kenya, running from October 20th to 22nd, 2025. The conference’s critical theme is “Improving Labour Migration and Mobility Governance for Prosperity in IGAD Region”. This three-day event brings together ministers, technical experts, and social partners from all eight IGAD member states—Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. While the region has seen economic growth, this has yet to translate into sufficient creation of decent jobs for the steadily growing population, with the unemployment rate having risen from 14.3% to 15.9% between 2012 and 2022. The region is also a complex area of origin, transit, and destination for mixed migration flows, with international migration increasing from 3.6 million in 2012 to 7.5 million in 2022.
The conference aims to address these complex issues by taking stock of progress made on the seven pillars of the Djibouti Declaration on Labour, Employment, and Labour Migration. A significant focus is placed on deliberating strategies to address challenges and maximize opportunities in the East and Horn of Africa—Middle East migration corridor. Experts are examining the risks faced by migrant workers in destination countries, which are often characterized by inadequate protections and decent work deficits, as well as addressing the root causes and humanitarian needs associated with irregular migration via the perilous Red Sea Route. The Red Sea Route, in particular, has recorded more than 3,400 deaths and missing persons in the past decade. Furthermore, a key agenda item is the presentation and discussion of the transformative IGAD Single Visa Initiative and an interoperable ID system, which seeks to establish a harmonized digital visa system for non-IGAD citizens to promote trade, tourism, and regional mobility.
The Ministerial Conference, scheduled for October 22nd, will consider the recommendations drafted by the technical experts. A major highlight of this session will be the official launch of the second phase of the project, “Support to Free Movement of Persons and Transhumance in the IGAD region” (FMPT – Phase II), which is financed by the European Union with a total budget of EURO 15 million. This conference reinforces IGAD’s commitment to strengthening the governance of labour, employment, and labour migration, ensuring the protection of workers’ rights, and fostering regional integration for collective prosperity.
