ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- A new initiative, dubbed the Africa Diplomatic Indaba (ADi) series, was unveiled to shape the governance of migration and labour migration in Africa.

The initiative was unveiled by the African Union (AU) Commission in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), African countries, regional economic communities and other partners on Tuesday, the AU said in a statement.

The AU said the ADi is conceptualized as a platform aiming at uniting specifically members of the diplomatic corps and parliamentarians, and leaders for collective policy discussions to shape the governance of migration and labour migration in Africa.

Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission Monique Nsanzabaganwa said during the inaugural ADi session that was hosted at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, that the initiative would help strengthen Africa's position regarding migration and labour migration.

"Regrettably, today the world is deeply polarized by the ongoing debates on migration. What is clear is that Africa is getting increasingly fragmented due to external influence and divergent views on ways to manage international migration," Nsanzabaganwa was quoted by the AU statement as saying.

IOM Director-General Amy Pope called for more comprehensive, inclusive and strategic migration solutions and humane mobility policies.

"Regular pathways can make migration safer and reduce unsafe and irregular migration, improve the capacity to identify who enters, transits through, and remains in a territory, respond to labour market needs and contribute to sustainable development," Pope said.

The inaugural ADi session brought together representatives of the AU Commission, the UN migration agency representatives from AU member states, regional economic communities, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the International Labour Organization, and various development organizations, according to the AU.

Delegates mainly discussed policy issues surrounding the return, readmission and reintegration of migrants. They highlighted the protection of returning labour migrants, drawing from key findings and recommendations of studies, and exploring member states' insights on policy and practice in migration governance.

According to the AU, the ADi is launched at a moment when migration and human mobility play crucial roles in shaping global geopolitical and socio-economic discussions.

It said all engaging partners committed to sustaining the ADi platform to harmonize ideas and advocate for safe, regular, dignified and humane migration in solidarity with a unified voice. Enditem

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