Activities

Cairo, 14 January 2025 – Against the backdrop of the world’s largest displacement crisis, the Khartoum Process convened a High-Level Symposium in Cairo to galvanise humanitarian and regional coordination efforts in response to the escalating situation in Sudan. The meeting, hosted under Egypt’s Chairmanship of the Khartoum Process brought together over 50 representatives from governments, humanitarian organisations, and development partners.

With more than 12 million Sudanese displaced since the onset of conflict, including 3.7 million who have fled to neighbouring countries, the symposium served as a platform for targeted dialogue on responsibility-sharing, humanitarian access, and durable solutions.

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.

The Khartoum Process successfully held its Thematic Meeting on Innovative Strategies for Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings and Migrant Smuggling on 10–11 December 2024 in Mombasa, Kenya. The two-day event brought together approximately 50 participants from member states, international organisations and the civil society to address the evolving challenges of human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

Experts and stakeholders from across Khartoum Process partner countries and institutions gathered in Luxor, Egypt to address the pressing challenges posed by climate displacement in conflict-affected regions. This thematic workshop convened leaders, policymakers, and specialists to explore sustainable solutions for communities most vulnerable to climate-induced displacement. In the opening remarks, the esteemed speakers emphasised the urgency of integrated strategies to mitigate the dual impacts of climate and conflict on displacement. The keynote speaker, Dr. Elizabeth Carabine from UNEP, underscored the need for transboundary cooperation, particularly in the Horn of Africa, a region facing severe environmental stressors and displacement challenges.

On the 16 and 17 of October 2024, a Joint High-Level Meeting of the Khartoum Process and the Rabat Process was hosted in Lisbon, Portugal, under the Egyptian chairmanship of the Khartoum Process and the Portuguese chairmanship of the Rabat Process. The event gathered 156 participants, including 109 participants from 53 partner countries of both Dialogues, as well as international experts and representatives from international organisations. During this 2-day event, they shared lessons learned, best practices and key recommendations to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation across Europe and Africa to foster skills mobility and talent attraction.

On September 11-12, 2024, Finland and Somalia, co-hosted the Khartoum Process thematic meeting in Helsinki, focusing on leveraging migration for sustainable development. The event gathered over 80 participants, including representatives from 13 diaspora, youth, and women organisations, to discuss how these groups can influence and contribute to migration governance and development policy.

Finland presented the National Dialogue Method, a participatory process designed to foster inclusive, constructive conversations between diverse groups in society, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered in the policymaking process.