Activities

The Khartoum Process Thematic Meeting “Cities at the Frontline: Urban Governance, Migration and the Integration of Displaced Populations” took place on 3–4 March 2026 in Kampala, Uganda, under the Chairmanship of France, hosted by Uganda and co-hosted by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The meeting was co-organised with Cities Alliance under the SUIDAC project, bringing together 85 participants representing Khartoum Process Member States, the European Union, international organisations, civil society, academia, and municipal authorities.

The meeting placed cities at the centre of dialogue on migration governance, recognising that urban areas increasingly serve as places of arrival, settlement, and long-term integration for refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and other displaced populations. As highlighted during the opening remarks, cities are spaces where policy commitments meet everyday realities, and where inclusive governance can foster resilience, opportunity, and social cohesion for both displaced populations and host communities. 

The Khartoum Process Thematic Meeting from Policy to Practice: Advancing Legal Pathways for Migrants, with a Focus on Women and Youth was held in Aswan, Egypt, under the French Chairmanship of the Khartoum Process, hosted by Egypt and co-hosted by France. The meeting brought together 55 representatives of Khartoum Process Member States, the African Union and European Union, international organisations, civil society, academia, and the private sector.

Building on Domain 2 of the Cairo Action Plan on regular migration pathways and mobility, discussions focused on translating political commitments into practical and inclusive solutions. The meeting explored how labour mobility schemes, visa facilitation, skills recognition, education-based mobility, and access to reliable information can be strengthened to make legal pathways more accessible and effective —particularly for women and young people.

Three regional migration Dialogues are further strengthening the responses to human trafficking and migrant smuggling across African and European routes. The Khartoum, Rabat, and Niamey Processes marked an important milestone in interregional cooperation to enhance policies and cooperation to align with realities on the ground, ensuring that responses to these crimes remain fit for purpose. 

The Joint Thematic Meeting of the three dialogues on 4-5 November 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria gathered 166 representatives from 41 countries, alongside regional and international organisations, as well as CSOs. Co-chaired by Nigeria and France, the meeting was guided by the “4Ps” approach: prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership and specifically sought to advance the pivotal role of these first three pillars in breaking cycles of exploitation, combating impunity, and in turn preventing reoffending. 

Under the French Chairmanship, the Khartoum Process convened for the first time to address the issue of “Missing Migrants” within its framework. The webinar brought together 63 participants from Khartoum Process Member States, as well as regional and international organisations. Discussions highlighted the strong political interest of Member States in addressing the issue of missing migrants and the need for a cooperative, operational, and humanitarian approach to the issue of missing migrants. As stated by the Khartoum Process Chair, Ambassador Baumgartner: “[The Webinar] is a crucial step to fulfil our collective commitments and to place human dignity at the heart of migration governance”.

As the first meeting under the French Chairmanship, this Thematic Meeting was co-hosted by France and Kenya and focused on “Legal Identity: A Cornerstone of Access to Rights and Services and Effective Migration Governance”. The two-day event brought together 66 participants from Khartoum Process Member States, regional and international organisations, civil society, and academia. Discussions underscored the vital role of civil registration and legal identity (CRLI) in promoting human rights, social inclusion, and well-functioning migration systems.

Ministers and high-level representatives from Khartoum Process partner countries gathered in Cairo for the 2nd Ministerial Conference, marking a significant milestone—the 10th anniversary of the Khartoum Process. Hosted by Egypt, the conference highlighted both the achievements and ongoing challenges in managing migration between the Horn of Africa and Europe, setting forth strategic priorities for the coming years.

In his opening remarks, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates, H.E. Dr. Badr Abdelatty, emphasised the importance of sustained international cooperation and collective action, particularly against the backdrop of complex migration dynamics. The session was enriched by the insights of Dr. Magnus Brunner from the European Commission, Ms. Angela Martins from the African Union Commission, and Dr. Michael Spindelegger from the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), who collectively reinforced the necessity of ongoing partnership and solidarity.

The 13th Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) of the Khartoum Process, hosted and chaired by Egypt, gathered 100 participants from member states and key stakeholders, laying essential groundwork ahead of the 2nd Ministerial Conference scheduled for 9 April 2025.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Dr. Wael Badawi, Egypt's Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister for Migration, Refugee Affairs, and Anti-Human Trafficking, expressed gratitude to partner countries for their ongoing support and commitment to the Process. He underscored the significance of adopting the Cairo Ministerial Declaration and Action Plan, marking continued dedication to addressing migration challenges cooperatively. Ambassador Badawi notably welcomed Sudan’s reintegration into the Process and Steering Committee after a two-year hiatus, with Somalia warmly acknowledging Sudan’s return, having previously stepped in for Sudan in the Steering Committee.