29 July 2024, Nairobi – July 29th 2024 marks the second anniversary of the historic signing of Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment, and Climate Change (KDMECC) by 11 countries in the East and Horn of Africa (EHoA) region. This landmark agreement was signed at a high-level Inter-Ministerial Conference supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and sets out 12 key commitments to address human mobility in the context of climate change in the EHoA region. 

The East and Horn of Africa is a region disproportionately affected by climate change, with significant migration patterns emerging due to climate-related hazards, despite being the lowest emitters of global greenhouse gases. Since June last year, 32.1 million people have been impacted by drought according to IOM’s Horn of Africa Drought Snapshot (January-June 2023), while recent flooding in the region has affected 1.6 million people. 

Since the KDMECC was signed, concrete steps have been taken and progress made towards implementation of the commitments which cut across social inclusion and livelihoods, finance and investment, policy and regulatory activities, and climate mitigation and adaptation. The implementation process is being spearheaded by the Expert Working Group (EWG), a coalition of climate and migration experts from the signatory states, representatives from regional economic communities, and youth advocates.  

Established 10 months after the signing of the Declaration, and with the Government of the Republic of Uganda as Chair, the EWG regularly convenes to monitor progress, with support from IOM and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Regional Collaboration Centre for East and Southern Africa as the secretariat. 

In March 2024, the EWG validated a Plan of Action to implement and monitor the KDMECC. This plan is an effort to mainstream climate-induced mobility, enhance governance, foster regional and international collaboration, and increase investments in the region to support the implementation of the KDMECC. At country level, KDMECC pilot projects are underway, with some countries in the region already developing their own National Action Plans to address their unique issues. 

One priority in the regional Plan of Action involves enhancing the capacities of relevant stakeholders involved in implementing the KDMECC. A study on ‘Planning considerations for a financing mechanism for climate-induced human mobility’ was published to demonstrate opportunities for signatory countries to increase their resource mobilization and access to climate finance as requested by the KDMECC. EWG meetings in October 2023 and March 2024 consisted of capacity enhancement sessions on climate mobility financing. Climate negotiators were also trained on integrating human mobility into the UNFCCC negotiations in May 2024. 

In addition to this, youth engagement has been central to the KDMECC. Young people from the region have been supported to increase their knowledge and understanding of climate induced human mobility issues, enabling them to meaningfully participate and influence policies emanating from the KDMECC. 

With the KDMECC second anniversary, evidence of its impact shows its effectiveness in taking forward action on climate mobility in the region. More governments are showing interest in the Declaration as seen in its addendum – KDMECC-AFRICA, which welcomed more signatory countries from the African continent. Other regions are also coming up with similar frameworks, such as the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility, and the Eastern Caribbean States Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment and Climate Change in 2023.  

“The continued engagement of governments, experts, and youth advocates has been pivotal in addressing the severe challenges faced by the region due to climate change-induced migration. As we move forward, the KDMECC continues to serve as a testament to our commitment to fostering safe, orderly, and regular migration pathways.” says Rana Jaber, Acting Regional Director for IOM Regional Office for East and Horn of Africa.