Ten years of migration partnership: Federal Councillor Keller-Sutter on a working visit to Nigeria

Bern, 18.03.2021 - Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter is attending the event on 23 March in the Nigerian capital Abuja to mark the tenth anniversary of the migration partnership with Nigeria. The partnership has become a model for success in Switzerland’s foreign policy on migration. The working visit also serves to further strengthen cooperation between Switzerland and Nigeria.

The partnership is an important pillar of bilateral relations between the two countries. In the last few years it has provided a framework for closer cooperation on the return and reintegration of asylum seekers and for combating irregular migration and human trafficking. Under the partnership, numerous projects have been implemented in areas such as migration governance and management, vocational education and training, and preventing and combating the causes of irregular migration. 

Over the last ten years, the number of asylum applications from Nigerian nationals has continually fallen in Switzerland, from 2,746 applications in 2012 to 172 in 2020. Last year, Nigeria ranked twelfth among the principle countries of origin of asylum seekers.

Exchange on bilateral relations

The Nigerian minister for humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, and Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter will attend a ceremony in Abuja on 23 March to mark ten years of migration partnership. Discussions will focus on the achievements so far and on future cooperation. Ms Farouq and Ms Keller-Sutter will also open a touring exhibition aimed at raising awareness among the Nigerian population of the dangers of human trafficking.

During the working visit Ms Keller-Sutter will also attend further meetings to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries.

Migration partnerships with six countries

The bilateral dialogue on migration between experts will take place at the same time as Ms Keller-Sutter's visit. This annual meeting of the technical committee takes place alternately in Bern and Abuja and provides an opportunity to discuss cooperation and the progress of various migration projects.

Switzerland has concluded migration partnerships with six countries to date. These partnerships are part of a comprehensive approach by Switzerland to expand international cooperation that acknowledges both the challenges and the opportunities of migration. Switzerland and its partners hold a regular dialogue on migration issues and are committed to implementing joint intiatives and projects in this field.


Address for enquiries

Communication Service FDJP, T +41 58 462 18 18, info@gs-ejpd.admin.ch, Twitter: @EJPD_DFJP_DFGP



Publisher

Federal Department of Justice and Police
http://www.ejpd.admin.ch

State Secretariat for Migration
https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home.html

Last modification 06.02.2024

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