On Int’l Migrants Day, Egypt says it aims to make migration a choice not necessity

CAIRO – 18 December 2024: Egypt celebrates the International Migrants Day, observed by the United Nations every year on 18 December, stressing that the nation aims to achieve development in order to make migration a choice rather than a necessity.

Marking the occasion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs underlined in a statement on Wednesday Egypt’s firm commitment to supporting the rights of migrants and enhancing their opportunities for a better life.

Egypt also commended the migrants’ contributions to economic and social development efforts in their host communities and in their countries of origin, utilizing their expertise, skills and investments.

“Egypt affirms its keenness to respect its international obligations and address migration through a comprehensive and integrated approach,” the statement said.

The ministry added that the Egyptian approach takes into account the long-term humanitarian and development dimensions as well as security considerations.

Egypt also supports legal migration paths in parallel with working to address the root causes of illegal migration, the ministry added.

The Egyptian vision in this context is based on several axes, including achieving development at home, so that migration is a choice and not a necessity, the ministry said, affirming the nation’s dedication to qualifying young people and building their capacities in line with the labor markets at home and abroad.

Moreover, the Egyptian state deals with the migration issue through a strategic vision that balances the considerations of Egypt being a source, transit and destination country at the same time.

The statement shed light on Egypt’s hosting of more than nine million migrants, refugees and asylum seekers who left their countries for various political, economic and humanitarian reasons and found a safe haven here.

The ministry emphasized that those guests live side by side with Egyptians, enjoying the same basic services available to citizens, especially in the fields of health and education. They also move freely with Egypt adopting a fixed policy that rejects the establishment of camps for refugees or migrants.

Egypt stressed that addressing the migration issue from a comprehensive perspective requires more cooperation, coordination and participation at the international level.

The ministry called for enhancing constructive dialogue between countries of origin, transit and destination, and relevant international organizations.