On 9 July 2020 ICMPD hosted a high-level public webinar on "the future of the AU-EU partnership on migration and mobility in light of the COVID-19 pandemic". Distinguished panellists discussed the key issues related to the effects of COVID-19 on migration, mobility and displacement in Africa as well as its implications for the AU-EU Migration Partnership.
The ICMPD Director Migration Dialogues and Cooperation, Martijn Plum moderated the discussion with H.E. Amira Elfadil, Commissioner for Social Affairs, AUC, H.E. Cessouma Minata Samate, Commissioner for Political Affairs, AUC, H.E. Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs, EC. ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger gave a scene-setting opening speech in which he spoke about the current plans of EU-AU partnership: "The vision of bringing this [AU-EU] partnership to new heights was set by the European Commission in its March Communication ‘Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa’." With the newly emerged situation "[…] the EU’s Global Response to the COVID-19 from April 2020, is to focus on the most vulnerable people in Africa, including migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons and their host communities. This is certainly the right step into the right direction." The high-level event was concluded by Ambassador Birgitte Markussen, Deputy Managing Director, EEAS.
About 350 people attended the high-level public webinar.
Watch a recording of the webinar here.