Denmark embassy and IOM sign agreement to execute second phase of SPHERE Project in Egypt
Ahram Online , Tuesday 3 Nov 2020
The new project provides resources to further support the capacity of the Egyptian government in order to identify, face, and respond to irregular migration challenges as well as to counter migration-related crimes


The International Organization for Migration (IOM), missiontoEgypt, and the Embassy of Denmark in Egyptsigned on 1 November an agreement for the implementation of the second phase of the SPHERE project.

The new project provides resources to further support the capacity of the Egyptian government in order to identify, face and respond to irregular migration challenges as well as to counter migration-related crimes.

Ambassador of Denmark to Egypt Svend Olling has signed the agreement launching the second phase of SPHEREwith IOM Egypt working to strengthen the protection mechanisms of migrants as well as the contributions to migration national response.

In one of his first opening remarks since submitting his credentials, Ambassador Olling hailed the comprehensive efforts of the Egyptian government and the cooperation with the IOM, highlighting how the SPHERE II project takes success forward and how it also aligns with the Danish strategy for development, cooperation and humanitarian action, in addition to Egypt’s 2030 vision that recently has included a migration pillar.

The agreement signing ceremony was attended by the IOM Chief of Mission in Egypt Laurent De Boeck, Ambassador Naela Gabr, head of the National Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration (NCCPIM), and Ambassador Amr El-Sherbini, Deputy Assistant minister for migration Affairs.

The first phase of the project was implemented by IOM Egypt in partnership with the Government of Egypt and, in particular among other institutions, with the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons, the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, the National Council for Women as well as the National Council for Human Rights.

The SPHERE project supports the realization of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy: Egypt’s 2030 vision. It also falls in line with the United Nations’ Agenda 2030, specifically the UN Sustainable Development Goals, namely, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities; Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions and Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.

The new phase of the project builds on the achievement of the completed phase. SPHERE aims at expanding and strengthening the national response in migration management while protecting and assisting victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrants at risk of exploitation in Egypt on a rights-based approach.

While the Government of Egypt has progressed migration management and control of irregular migration both from and to Egypt, migration has recently been included as a pillar of the country’s 2030 vision. The momentum of this inclusion will support in enhancing protection and strengthening institutional capacities to ensure safe, humane and orderly migration for all.

“IOM is grateful for the cooperation with the Government of Egypt and the support of the Government of Denmark in enhancing the migration management and countering the pertaining crimes while protecting the rights of migrants and human trafficking victims," said IOM Chief of Mission in Egypt, Laurent De Boeck. "The new phase of the SPHERE project will contribute to this aim and is to consolidate the partnership with the scope of making the response effective in the interest of the most vulnerable categories of society, whose conditions have been worsening even more due to the COVID-related crisis,” he added.

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