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| Egypt hosts 9 million migrants from 133 countries, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). (Source: Ahram) |
According to Ahram news site, the conference took place from August 28-30 with the participation of 27 countries from Europe, Africa and North America as well as relevant international organizations.
Organized by the National Coordination Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TIP), the event is part of Egypt’s national strategy to combat illegal migration. The conference also aims to strengthen the efforts of Egyptian authorities to combat migration and protect migrants, especially unaccompanied children.
In a statement to Egypt's official MENA news agency, head of NCCPIM&TIP Naela Gabr stressed Egypt's interest in promoting regional cooperation to combat illegal migration and human trafficking.
Fighting this phenomenon is difficult “without regional cooperation and exchange of expertise,” Gabr said.
As the destination of some 9 million migrants from 133 countries, Egypt has repeatedly affirmed that it will do everything to not become a transit point for illegal migrants seeking to reach Europe.
In fact, Egypt has been working to address irregular migration since it launched its first strategy on the subject in 2016.
At that time, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi launched a national strategy to combat irregular migration. Law 82/2016 criminalizes all forms of smuggling of migrants, in addition to combating the activities of those involved in such acts.
In 2022, the law was amended, increasing fines and penalties for those who commit crimes but do not report them.
Egypt is also taking measures to increase household incomes and create jobs in the provinces – the main source of irregular migrants – to address the root causes of the problem.
In 2019, the North African country launched the Lifeboat initiative, allocating EGP 250 million (over USD 8 million) to provide employment opportunities in 70 villages across the country with high levels of irregular migration.
As part of its cooperation with Egypt to reduce irregular migration, the EU granted Egypt €80 million in June for border management, search and rescue and enhanced anti-smuggling operations.
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