Regional Approaches to Forced Migration

The African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, adopted in 2009, is the primary regional legal framework for addressing forced migration in Africa. It provides a comprehensive framework for the protection and assistance of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and sets out the obligations of states to prevent displacement, provide assistance, and promote durable solutions.

The Cartagena Declaration on Refugees, adopted in 1984, is a regional instrument that provides a broader definition of a refugee than the 1951 Refugee Convention. It includes persons who have fled their country due to generalized violence, foreign aggression, internal conflicts, serious human rights violations, or other circumstances that have seriously disturbed public order.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plays a leading role in coordinating humanitarian assistance and protection efforts for refugees and internally displaced persons in Southeast Asia. ASEAN member states have adopted a number of regional agreements and mechanisms to address forced migration, including the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers and the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on Disaster Management.

The European Union's Common European Asylum System (CEAS) aims to harmonize asylum procedures and criteria across EU member states, ensuring a fair and efficient asylum system. It seeks to establish common standards for the reception and accommodation of asylum seekers, promote burden-sharing and responsibility among member states, and facilitate the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into EU societies.

The Great Lakes Regional Initiative on Forced Displacement is a regional initiative that aims to address the root causes of displacement and promote durable solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons in the Great Lakes region of Africa. It brings together governments, regional organizations, and international partners to address the complex challenges of forced migration in the region.

The Regional Conference on Migration (RCM) in the Americas is a forum for dialogue and cooperation on migration issues among countries in the Americas. Its primary objective is to promote cooperation on migration management and border security, including the prevention of irregular migration, the protection of migrants' rights, and the promotion of orderly, safe, and regular migration.

The Asia-Pacific Regional Plan of Action on Forced Migration is a comprehensive regional framework that provides a coordinated approach to addressing forced migration in the Asia-Pacific region. It includes measures to prevent displacement, protect the rights of displaced persons, and promote durable solutions.

The African Union's Agenda 2063 is a long-term strategic framework that aims to accelerate economic integration and development in Africa. It includes a number of goals and targets related to forced migration, such as promoting durable solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons, addressing the root causes of displacement, and enhancing cooperation on migration management.

The League of Arab States (LAS) plays a leading role in coordinating humanitarian assistance and protection efforts for refugees and internally displaced persons in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. LAS member states have adopted a number of regional agreements and mechanisms to address forced migration, including the Arab Charter on Human Rights and the Arab Convention on the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons.

The Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons, and Related Transnational Crime is a regional initiative that aims to combat people smuggling and trafficking in persons in the Asia-Pacific region. It brings together governments, regional organizations, and international partners to address the complex challenges of these crimes and promote safe, orderly, and regular migration.

The Central American Regional Framework for the Protection and Assistance of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons is a comprehensive regional framework that provides a coordinated approach to addressing forced migration in the Central American region. It includes measures to prevent displacement, protect the rights of displaced persons, and promote durable solutions.

The European Union's Global Compact on Migration is a non-binding agreement that aims to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration. It includes a number of objectives, such as reducing the risks and vulnerabilities of migrants, addressing the root causes of displacement, protecting the rights of migrants and refugees, and enhancing cooperation on migration management.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) plays a leading role in coordinating humanitarian assistance and protection efforts for refugees and internally displaced persons in the Horn of Africa. IGAD member states have adopted a number of regional agreements and mechanisms to address forced migration, including the IGAD Declaration on Durable Solutions for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons and the IGAD Regional Strategy for Addressing the Root Causes of Displacement.

The African Union's Migration Policy Framework for Africa is a comprehensive framework that aims to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration. It includes a number of objectives, such as reducing the risks and vulnerabilities of migrants, addressing the root causes of displacement, protecting the rights of migrants and refugees, and enhancing cooperation on migration management.

The South Asian Regional Framework for the Protection and Assistance of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons is a comprehensive regional framework that provides a coordinated approach to addressing forced migration in the South Asian region. It includes measures to prevent displacement, protect the rights of displaced persons, and promote durable solutions.