The event, which attracted civil society organisations, media, migrant representatives and development partners, forms part of broader efforts geared towards developing a complementary report to support The Gambia’s national submission on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.
Addressing the forum, Yadicon Njie Eribo, chairperson of TANGO, described the consultation as timely, coming at a critical time as the global community continues to advance the implementation of the GCM, adopted in 2018 to improve international cooperation on migration.
She acknowledged that migration remains a defining social and economic reality, making it essential for national reporting processes to reflect the lived experiences of migrants, returnees, and affected communities.
“As the Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, TANGO is proud to lead this initiative in collaboration with IOM to engage civil society and the media in developing a complementary report to the Government’s national efforts,” she stated.
Mrs. Njie Eribo also noted that the process is not only about reporting progress, but also about ensuring that diverse perspectives from across the country are captured and represented in policy discussions.
She described the consultation as a platform for dialogue, learning, and collaboration, where stakeholders can identify achievements, highlight persistent challenges, and propose practical recommendations to improve migration governance.
Paradang Marie Madelin from IOM, extolled the partnership between TANGO, further assuring that IOM, as the lead United Nations agency on migration, remains committed to providing technical support, capacity development, and evidence-based guidance to ensure that The Gambia’s reporting aligns with global standards while reflecting national realities.
He described the consultation as a key milestone in assessing the country’s progress under the GCM and in preparing for the upcoming International Migration Review Forum, where countries will review implementation efforts.
Mr. Madelin emphasised the importance of a “whole-of-society” approach, reminding that civil society plays a critical role in advocating for accountability, delivering essential services, and generating data at the community level.
He also highlighted the role of migrants as active contributors to development, as well as the responsibility of the media in promoting accurate and balanced reporting on migration issues.
Moreover, the participants at the meeting shared experiences from their work at the community level, including support provided to migrants and returnees, advocacy efforts, and challenges related to reintegration, access to services, and public perception of migration. The consultation further provided an opportunity for participants to engage in discussions aimed at strengthening partnerships, improving coordination, and identifying gaps in current migration responses.
