Geneva: The Minister of Human Resources and Social Welfare, Mua'tasim Ahmed Salih, recently held a significant meeting in Geneva with Amy Pope, the Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This meeting took place alongside the 114th session of the International Labour Conference, which underscored the strengthening partnership between Sudan and IOM in the context of voluntary return and recovery initiatives.
According to Sudan News Agency, the meeting was attended by Ambassador Hassan Hamid Hassan, Sudan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and international organizations in Geneva, along with several officials from both parties. Minister Salih conveyed Sudan's gratitude for IOM's efforts in supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and host communities over the years. He emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration with IOM as Sudan enters a new developmental phase.
Minister Salih highlighted the increasing number of returnees to their home regions in various states, which necessitates additional support for safe, dignified, and sustainable voluntary return programmes. He underscored the importance of reintegration programmes, livelihood opportunities, and community stability initiatives to aid in recovery and reconstruction efforts.
The discussions between the two sides also explored avenues for cooperation in supporting returnees and displaced persons. They focused on enhancing vocational training and skills development programmes, improving data, registration, and targeting systems, and leveraging digital solutions for managing social protection programmes for vulnerable groups.
The Minister stressed the need for a gradual transition from the humanitarian response phase to recovery, reintegration, and resilience-building. This shift is aimed at fostering social and economic stability in communities affected by the conflict. One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the agreement to appoint focal points for ensuring coordination and regular follow-up. Additionally, both parties agreed to organize a joint technical mission to identify priority intervention areas, laying the groundwork for a practical cooperation framework in the forthcoming phase.
Amy Pope, Director General of IOM, reiterated the organization's commitment to supporting Sudan during its recovery, voluntary return, and reintegration phase. She expressed IOM's readiness to exert all possible efforts to back programmes and initiatives that contribute to stability and sustainable development in Sudan.
In conclusion, both parties emphasized the need to build upon and further develop the existing partnership between Sudan and IOM, aligning with the country's priorities during its recovery and reconstruction phase.