The Strategic Moment of Reflection for the IOM Country Strategy 2025-2030 with IOM Partners remarks by Seraphine Wakana

I am pleased to attend this gathering that signifies a profound moment of collaboration between the United Nations, the Government, and the people of Sierra Leone on migration issues.  As these issues will constitute a key element of UN development programs in Sierra Leone over the coming years, I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to all distinguished guests and stakeholders present here today.  Your presence underscores the importance of our shared commitment to ensuring safe, orderly, and humane migration for the benefit of all.

Today, we embark on a journey of dialogue and collaboration to shape the future of migration governance in Sierra Leone. This marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to address one of our time's most pressing needs and opportunities:  human migration.

Having recently participated in the launch of the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024-2030), I am delighted also to be part of this collective consultation and visioning meeting -the Strategic Moment of Reflection for the IOM Country Strategy 2025-2030.  Efficient and effective migration management is a crucial and an intersecting factor in achieving the vision espoused in the Medium-Term National Development Plan.

Since 2001, the IOM country office has been instrumental in addressing migration needs and fostering sustainable development in the country. As the UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, I commend IOM colleagues and other partners for their unwavering dedication to migration management and governance and their steps towards advancing our shared goals of migrant well-being and inclusive societies.

Sierra Leone faces complex migration dynamics driven by historical legacies and contemporary realities.  Internal migration, fueled primarily by inequalities among geographic regions, and external migration, fueled mostly by unfulfilled economic aspirations, are prominent features of the nation's migration landscape.  Going forward, climate change will be an increasingly relevant factor that drives both internal and external migration here and around the world.  

IOM's commitment to climate action is evident in projects like "Implementing Global Policies on Environmental Migration and Disaster Displacement in West Africa," which aims to address the root causes of migration and enhance community resilience to environmental challenges.

Additionally, IOM's work in migration-related health, data, and research has provided valuable insights for evidence-based policymaking and interventions.  Ongoing collaborations with international partners, including the Sierra Leone diaspora, underscore IOM's dedication to seeking ways to leverage migration for positive development impact in Sierra Leone.

The IOM Country Strategy document will serve as a blueprint for interventions to address the complex challenges and opportunities associated with migration. This document, aligned with global efforts to promote safe, humane, and orderly migration, underscores our commitment to uphold the principles of dignity, respect, and human rights for all.  

In the Sierra Leone context, this means recognizing the diverse experiences and circumstances of migrants, including women, children, refugees, and internally displaced persons, and ensuring their access to essential services and support. This also means recognizing the significant challenges climate change poses to livelihoods and the intersecting impacts between climate-related environmental degradation and human mobility.

As we commence our deliberations, it is important to underscore the significance of aligning our efforts with key global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Compact on Migration. These frameworks provide us with a roadmap for addressing migration challenges while promoting sustainable development and ensuring the protection of migrants' rights.

Central to this approach is the integration of IOM's global objectives, which prioritize saving lives, driving solutions to displacement, and facilitating pathways for regular migration. These objectives resonate deeply with the country's aspirations of Sierra Leone and underscore the importance of collaboration and partnership in addressing the multifaceted dimensions of migration.
Ladies and Gentlemen, as we reflect on the challenges and opportunities ahead, let us remain committed to leaving no one behind and ensuring that migration is safe, orderly, and beneficial for all. By working together across sectors and borders, we can harness the potential of migration to drive development, promote social cohesion, and build resilient communities.  
I look forward to productive discussions and fruitful outcomes from today’s meeting.

Thank you.