File Photo: Steering Committee Meeting and Senior Officials' Meeting, Cairo, Egypt in April last year. Photo from Khartoum Process official website.
Launched in November 2014 at its first ministerial conference in Rome, the Khartoum Process — also known as the EU-Horn of Africa Migration Route Initiative — aims to promote dialogue and regional cooperation on migration between the Horn of Africa and Europe.
Its core focus includes combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling through concrete joint initiatives.
According to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, the conference seeks to underscore the significance of the Khartoum Process as a platform for enhancing international cooperation on migration through a comprehensive approach that reflects the priorities of countries on both shores of the Mediterranean.
The ministry noted that this year's conference is the first opportunity to assess progress since the process was launched 2014.
It also aims to establish an institutional framework to guide emerging areas of focus developed over the past decade while fostering inclusive participation, balanced dialogue among stakeholders, and bilateral cooperation projects.
Egypt previously held the presidency of the Khartoum Process at its inception in 2014 and resumed the role in April 2024, succeeding Germany.
During its current term, Egypt has prioritized tackling the root causes of migration and reducing irregular migration through a broad, coordinated approach. It has also promoted the exchange of expertise and best practices among member states.
In parallel, the country has emphasized the importance of burden-sharing in supporting host countries dealing with large refugee and displacement populations.
The statement also spotlighted displacement and climate-related challenges, presenting relevant initiatives launched during its COP27 presidency.
The Khartoum Process includes 40 member countries, along with the European Commission, the African Union Commission, and key international organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
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