The Eurasian-African Platform on Poverty and Migration (ECOPPAM) achieved a significant milestone during its first conference held in Cotonou, Benin, from October 10 to 12, 2023. Under the auspices of the Beninese Government, this event marked a fruitful partnership between ECOPPAM and the Ministry of Community Development (MDC), symbolizing a concerted effort to combat social inequalities, forced migration, and poverty in Africa.
ECOPPAM’s core objective is to contribute to the promotion and consolidation of social protection systems in Africa, drawing inspiration from the standards set by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The conference underscored the importance of advocating for legal and safe migration routes between Africa and Europe, while mobilizing commitments to promote decent work and create opportunities for success among the youth in Africa.
The conference received support from the Beninese Government, which facilitated administrative, diplomatic, and institutional processes. International institutions such as GIZ, UNDP, the African Union, and the ILO also provided their backing. High-quality exchanges brought together diverse stakeholders, including sector ministries, civil society organizations, African and European social organizations, as well as technical and financial partners.
The conference marked the commencement of work related to the development of foundational documents, a work plan, and ECOPPAM’s strategic plan. A major decision was the appointment of Benin to the presidency of the Board of Directors, with Belgium chosen as the headquarters and Cotonou as the administrative seat. Three months after the General Assembly, the strategic plan, action plan, and annual budget were adopted.
In accordance with its statutory framework, ECOPPAM plans to organize a second stakeholders’ conference in 2022 in Ghana. However, due to insufficient organizational conditions, a strong demand led to the decision to hold the conference in Benin, supported by a partnership with the MDC.
Acces the report of the Benin conference : https://ecoppam.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/RAPPORT-ECOPPAM-EC.pdf
This conference laid the foundation for ECOPPAM as a key player in social progress in Africa. It brought together diverse stakeholders to formulate an action matrix aimed at supporting sustainable national plans for social development. The strong commitment of the Beninese Government and international partners underscores the importance of cooperation in addressing the socio-economic challenges facing Africa. The next step will be to implement ECOPPAM’s strategic plan, thereby creating a lasting positive impact on the lives of African populations.
