July 24-26 | Mahé, Seychelles - The International Organization for Migration (IOM), with the support of the Government of Seychelles successfully concluded a three-day Capacity Development Workshop on Advancing Analysis of Migration Data and Reporting in the Indian Ocean (IOC) region which brought together experts from four IOC Member States – Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros and Madagascar. Held from 24-26 July at Berjaya Bau Vallon Resort, in Mahé, Seychelles, this workshop marks a significant step towards enhancing regional collaboration and innovation in migration data analysis.

This workshop addressed the need for comprehensive and timely migration data to inform national and regional policies, in line with the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The objectives of the workshop were threefold: developing capacity on migration data trends and sources, facilitating regional collaboration, and promoting innovation in data analysis.

In her opening remarks, Alia Hirji, Chief of Mission for Mauritius and Seychelles, emphasized the critical importance of reliable migration data. “Accurate and comprehensive migration data is essential for mainstreaming migration into policy and planning frameworks, and for developing effective and evidence-based migration policies and programmes. This is particularly crucial in the IOC region, where a growing population is driving increased human mobility, potentially serving as a powerful lever for economic development. This workshop is a crucial step towards strengthening our regional capacity to manage migration in a way that maximizes its benefits for stakeholders,” she stated.

Ms. Li Fa Cheung Kai Suet, Chief Executive Officer of the National Bureau Statistics, Seychelles, highlighted the collaborative spirit of the event. “This workshop provides a unique opportunity for our countries to work together, share knowledge, and develop a unified approach to migration data management. By strengthening our regional collaboration, we can better address the shared challenges and opportunities presented by migration,” she noted.

This initiative was made possible through the European Union (EU)-funded Southern Africa Migration Management (SAMM) project, which aims to improve migration management in the Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region. By building capacity of national stakeholders, the project seeks to ensure informed decision-making processes and enhance the overall quality and availability of migration data.

The workshop successfully enhanced the capacity of participants to analyze migration data and apply it to policy development. It also fostered stronger regional collaboration and brought an insight to innovative methodologies for data analysis. The establishment of an IOC Regional Network for Migration Data will ensure ongoing cooperation and information sharing among the IOC Member States.

Through a series of interactive sessions, participants explored various aspects of migration data trends, sources, and innovative analysis methodologies. Participants expressed their commitment to applying the knowledge and skills gained during the workshop to their respective national contexts. The establishment of an IOC regional network for migration data was also discussed, aiming to facilitate ongoing collaboration and joint initiatives.

As the workshop concluded, Alia Hirji reiterated IOM’s dedication to supporting the IOC region in advancing migration data analysis and reporting. “We look forward to continued collaboration with our partners and Member States to make migration work for development and regional integration,” she said.

For more information, please contact:

Chief of Mission: Alia Hirji |ahirji@iom.int |Tel: +230 210 4250
Communication Assistant: Simla Pertaub| spertaub@iom.int | Tel: +230 210 4250
Media: IOM Mauritius| iommauritius@iom.int | Tel: +230 210 4250
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Website: https://www.iom.int/