The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), in partnership with Egypt’s Ministry of Labor, the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Irregular Migration and Human Trafficking, and the Anti-Irregular Migration and Migrant Protection Fund, has launched two key training programs under the “CONMIGO” project. These training sessions, running for two weeks, focus on labor market observatories and trainer development programs, aimed at improving Egypt’s migration management system.
Spanish Experts Lead Training Sessions in Cairo
The training, scheduled from February 18 to 25, 2025, in Cairo, will host 70 participants from the Ministry of Labor. The sessions feature three experts from Spain’s Public Employment Service (SEPE), a government agency under the Ministry of Labor, who will share their insights on labor market monitoring and the benefits of trainer programs, drawing from Spain’s successful experience in migration management.
The primary objective of these training sessions is to equip Egyptian officials with a deep understanding of labor market observatories, which help track employment trends, and to highlight the importance of effective training programs for developing skilled labor forces.
Official Opening Highlights Regional Cooperation
Ambassador Naela Gabr, Chair of the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Irregular Migration and Human Trafficking, officially opened the event. In her speech, she stressed the significance of international collaboration in addressing migration challenges, improving labor market response, and preventing irregular migration from Egypt.
“Cooperation between nations is critical in facilitating safe migration pathways and responding to labor market demands,” Gabr said.
Bilateral Agreements Strengthen Labor Mobility
Cristina Fraile, Deputy Ambassador of Spain to Egypt, highlighted the recent visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Spain. During the visit, both countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on circular migration. Fraile explained that this agreement is pivotal in fostering safe and regulated labor migration between Egypt and Spain.
“Such agreements strengthen the ties between our countries and facilitate the movement of safe labor,” Fraile noted, emphasizing the mutual benefits for both Spain and Egypt in managing migration flows.
EU-Egypt Cooperation in Migration Management
Anne Kofod, Head of the Social Integration and Governance Team at the European Union Delegation to Egypt, also spoke at the event. She noted that 2024 marked significant strides in EU-Egypt collaboration, particularly in managing migration. Kofod mentioned that the “CONMIGO” project is a prime example of how both parties are working together to improve migration governance.
“The European Union supports Egypt’s efforts in developing a skills and competencies classification system, essential for improving the employability of Egyptian migrants,” Kofod said.
Strengthening Egypt’s Migration Governance
Khaled Al-Naqadi, Executive Director of the Migration Fund, provided an overview of the “CONMIGO” project. He emphasized its goal of enhancing Egypt’s institutional capacity in migration governance. The project is being implemented in collaboration with the National Coordinating Committee to support Egypt’s ongoing efforts in combating irregular migration.
Egypt’s Commitment to Enhancing Labor Mobility
The opening ceremony concluded with remarks from Egyptian Minister of Labor, Mohamed Gibran, who reaffirmed the importance of training programs in strengthening international cooperation. Gibran highlighted that specialized training helps improve job opportunities and develop a skilled workforce that can meet global labor demands.
“Egypt’s youth represent a significant potential to meet the needs of countries seeking skilled labor. Our commitment to developing this workforce is crucial to enhancing Egypt’s global standing,” Gibran concluded.
A Collaborative Effort for Effective Migration Solutions
The “CONMIGO” project is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). This initiative aims to provide an effective response to irregular migration in Egypt through collaboration with the Ministry of Labor, the Migration Fund, and the National Coordinating Committee. The project’s focus on capacity-building training highlights the shared goal of creating sustainable migration management strategies and improving labor mobility between Egypt, Spain, and the European Union.
