UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomed on Friday commitments made by various African countries to integrate refugees and stateless people into their national identification systems at the ID4Africa 2024 annual general meeting in Cape Town.

Countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia highlighted successful and ongoing initiatives such as comprehensive legal frameworks, digital ID programmes, national surveys on statelessness and measures to ensure access to financial and social services at a session led by UNHCR. Participants agreed that digital identity and related services can drive socio-economic progress for displaced populations in Africa and beyond.

“Our participation in this event underscores our commitment to our Digital Transformation Strategy, which is the backbone of our identity initiatives,” said Chansa Kapaya, UNHCR’s Director of the Regional Bureau for Southern Africa. “This strategy guides us in implementing systems that benefit all, particularly those facing forced displacement.”

The workshop, attended by governments, policymakers, development agencies, civil society and industry experts, focused on strategies to empower Africa’s forcibly displaced and stateless populations through inclusive digital ID systems and understanding the present situation to measure progress and identify gaps, thereby enabling more effective interventions.

Specifically, participants focused on steps to create legal frameworks to integrate forcibly displaced and stateless people into national identification systems, ensuring compliance with international standards; discussing measures to ensure the inclusion of refugees in national digital ID systems, drawing insights from successful initiatives like Ethiopia’s National Digital ID; and showcasing the benefits on mobility, financial inclusion, and economic development of including refugees in government-led identification systems.

Governments and partners showcased progress in enhancing identity systems to protect refugees and foster their inclusion in national systems. Key initiatives announced or reinforced included facilitating seamless integration between refugee and national ID systems and improving service delivery; rolling out measures to allow forcibly displaced people to open bank accounts and acquire SIM cards using refugee IDs; issuance of Refugee Convention Travel Documents; and ensuring birth registration and certification for all forcibly displaced and stateless people.

Angèle Djohossou, Bureau Deputy Director for the Regional Bureau for Southern Africa, said that, “ensuring access to recognized proof of legal identity is crucial for safeguarding the rights and protection of the displaced in their host countries and advancing solutions within an inclusive digital society.” She stressed the importance of integrating these individuals into national identification systems, aligning with international standards and enhancing their digital participation.

Dr. Joseph J. Atick, Executive Chairman of ID4Africa, said: “For displaced individuals, identification is a matter of survival. The workshop facilitated by UNHCR at ID4Africa 2024 has been one of the most impactful policy events we have hosted.”

UNHCR and ID4Africa will continue to promote collaboration and knowledge exchange among African states, with support from civil society and other actors. The objective remains to ensure every forcibly displaced and stateless person acquires recognized legal identity by integrating them into national digital ID systems. This integration will facilitate effective access to national services and the digital economy, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Ahead of the International Conference of Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) which will begin today, the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan held bilateral talks with the President of the Republic of Maldives, Dr.Mohamed Muizzu on the margins on the conference.

President Ramkalawan and President Muizzu highlighted the excellent relations that exist between Seychelles and the Maldives and how importantit was for the two island nations to agree and address the real concerns that are affecting island states like Seychelles and the Maldives.

“Since July 1980, our two nations have engaged in a vast array of areas of cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels. It was an honour to visit your country in June last year, and our meeting today is the ideal occasion to assess what we have accomplished thus far and reinforce our efforts to ensure successful implementation. I look forward to working closely with you to build further on the existing partnership between our two countries” said President Ramkalawan.

His Excellency, Dr. Muizzu expressed his honour to once again meet President Ramkalawan whilst stressing on the very good relations that exist between the two islands and peoples. The Maldivian Head of State also conveyed his country’s interest to strengthen diplomatic ties with Seychelles in expanding upon existing diplomatic ties and exploring new avenues. 

During discussions the two Heads of State, discussed various areas where the two nations can continue to strengthen diplomatic relations primarily in domains such as tourism, air connectivity, environment protection, capacity building and exchange of best practices as well as maritime security.

The climate crisis remains top on the agenda of discussions between the two countries where both nations seek to continue to use international platforms to call for greater global solidarity towards the socio-economic, political, security and ecological plight of SIDS. Other topics such as the rise in sea level, coral bleaching and exchange of technical expertise were also addressed.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

On the sidelines of the Fourth Small Island Developing State Conference (SIDS4), the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Wavel Ramkalwan yesterday held talks with the President of the Marshall Islands, Mrs. Hilda Heine. During discussions the two leaders agreed to further cooperate in key areas of mutual interest and explore new possible areas to strengthen the relations between the two island nations. 

Among the topics of discussions were the existential issue of the climate crisis such as rising sea levels and adverse weather patterns. Both nations are keen to further discuss and exchange on short and long-term climate adaptation strategies and sound climate-based government policies and other initiatives implemented locally with the aim of enhancing resiliency and reliably achieving sustainable development for the benefit of both peoples.

The two leaders will both be addressing the SIDS4 summit at the opening session on the 27th May.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a delegation from the US Congress that included members of the Democratic and Republican parties, headed by Senator Jerry Moran, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The meeting was attended by the Director of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service, Major General Abbas Kamel.

The Spokesman for the Presidency said the US delegation stressed that its visit comes within the framework of the special importance that its country attaches to the strategic partnership with Egypt. The members noted Egypt’s great contribution as a pillar of regional stability. They expressed their appreciation for the Egyptian efforts to establish peace and security in the region, highlighting the key Egyptian role in promoting efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as well as the exchange of captives, hostages and prisoners, in addition to the enormous efforts that Egypt has made, and continues to make, to bring humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. They expressed their deep appreciation and thanked Egypt for the role Egypt and the Egyptian leadership play in this regard.

The meeting saw an in-depth discussion on the overall regional situation, during which President El-Sisi stressed the need to intensify efforts to contain the situation and stop the war, in order to put an end to the ongoing humanitarian tragedy experienced by the people of the Gaza Strip and to prevent the expansion of the conflict. The President emphasized the dangers resulting from the Israeli military operations in the Palestinian city of Rafah and its humanitarian and security repercussions. The President also stressed the need for serious international engagement in the implementation of the two-state solution in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, as the path to achieving justice, peace and security for all the peoples of the region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.