Lesotho Validates National Report on Migration Governance

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) convened a multi-stakeholder meeting to validate Lesotho’s National Report on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). The report reflects progress made in advancing the commitments outlined in the Compact and consolidates contributions from a broad range of stakeholders, including government ministries, development partners, civil society, international organizations, and academia. It provides a comprehensive and balanced assessment of achievements, identifies existing gaps, and outlines priority areas for strengthened migration governance in Lesotho. The validation meeting offered stakeholders an opportunity to review the report, provide constructive input, and ensure that the document accurately represents collective efforts, experiences, and perspectives on migration management Lesotho. 

Opening the meeting, the Deputy Principal Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr. Nkhotha Machachamise, representing the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police, expressed appreciation to all stakeholders who contributed to the development of the report. He emphasized that the collaborative approach demonstrated throughout the drafting process reflects a shared national commitment to addressing migration in a coordinated and inclusive manner. He further underscored that migration remains a critical reality for Lesotho, contributing to livelihoods through employment opportunities, remittances, and skills transfer. At the same time, he noted that migration presents complex challenges that require well-informed policies, effective governance frameworks, and sustained partnerships at national, regional, and international levels. Adopted in 2018, the GCM is the first intergovernmental agreement to comprehensively address all dimensions of international migration, providing a cooperative framework to enhance migration governance globally