Targets that could benefit from the potential of migration and migrants

The Federal Government of Nigeria has set aside July 25 of every year as national diaspora day in recognition of the contributions of Nigerians in diaspora towards national development.

In 2019, Ghana successfully hosted The Year of Return, Ghana 2019, a year-long programme of activities to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first recorded enslaved Africans in the State of Virginia in the United States.

These activities included visits to heritage sites, healing ceremonies, theatre and musical performances, lectures, investment forums and relocation conferences. The aim was to promote Ghana as a tourist destination and investment opportunity as well as to encourage resettlement in the motherland for the Africans in the diaspora. 

The pilot phase of MSDG was implemented from  August 2017 to December 2018, during which a Gambian Diaspora Strategy (GDS) was developed and incorporated in the Gambia National Development Plan (NDP 2018-21).

Zimbabwe’s National Diaspora Policy provides for a comprehensive national framework to formally mainstream the diaspora into national development processes. It aims to develop measures to enhance protection of Zimbabweans abroad, and establish mechanisms for the transfer and repatriation of terminal, pension, and social security benefits for retired returnees through conclusion of bilateral labour agreements with host countries.

As part of the Migration and Sustainable Development in the Gambia Project (MSDG), on 23 September 2017, the President of The Gambia declared that a Stake in the Nation Forum (SNF) will be held annually in The Gambia. 

In 2022, IOM as the lead international agency working on issues related to human mobility and as Coordinator of the UN Network on Migration (UNMN), co-hosted the first Global Diaspora Summit (GDS), in partnership with the Government of Ireland and other lead participating states. The Summit assisted States and partners in taking stock of achievements vis-à-vis Objective 19 as a contribution towards the quadrennial International Migration Review Forum.

Diasporas and transnational communities are agents of change, fostering connections across domains and countries. This brief presents relevant data and trends on diaspora engagement, including estimations, contributions, current trends, and future opportunities.

This IOM report summarizes the key information shared during the four regional consultations held on September 25 and 27, 2023. 

The objective of this report is to update key partners on the progress made during the consultative process aimed at establishing the Global Diaspora Policy Alliance.

This IOM report focuses on the legal framework of diaspora engagement, evaluating the rights and opportunities available to diasporas in selected countries of origin and destination. It examines the understanding of the “diaspora” by governments, its reflection in national policies and legislation, the rights granted to diasporas, and the policies’ consideration of women’s role and participation in diaspora engagement.

The Future Forum is an opportunity to look ahead, sharing practices and ideas for how to maximise the potential of diaspora engagement for development in the years ahead.

It was indeed designed in response to calls from diaspora organisations in Europe to have more opportunities to communicate with each other, as well as with the European institutions, countries of heritage and international organisations.