On 13-14 May 2025, the first Thematic Meeting under the Nigerian Chairmanship of the Rabat Process will take place in Abuja, Nigeria - an encounter focusing on Youth, education and innovation.
Co-chaired by Nigeria and Spain, the meeting will bring together representatives from partner countries and organisations of the Rabat Process, alongside key experts, to advance the priorities set out under Area 1 of the Cadiz Action Plan, particularly echoing Objective 1: Maximise the positive impact of regular migration.
Recognising the essential role of young people and diaspora in shaping sustainable migration and development governance, the upcoming Thematic Meeting will serve as a dynamic platform for youth and diaspora representatives to actively engage in meaningful migration dialogue. Participants will explore strategies to maximise the potential of African youth, enhancing their contributions to both countries of origin and destination.
Harnessing the power of youth, education and innovation to shape the future of migration
Across the globe, young people represent a powerful engine for progress, innovation, and sustainable development. Today, there are 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 years worldwide, accounting for around 16% of the world population. According to the United Nations, this number is expected to rise to nearly 1.3 billion by 2030. This significant demographic represents an important source of creativity, skills, and resilience - with an immense potential to shape the future of migration and development governance.
Nowhere is this opportunity more evident than in African countries, where over 55% of the population is under the age of 20, and where 75% of the world’s under-35 population resides. By 2030, African youth are projected to represent 42% of the global youth population. In contrast, European countries are navigating demographic shifts, with ageing populations and labour shortages in key sectors. This unique demographic complementarity offers a pivotal opportunity to recognise and empower youth as strategic agents of change. Strengthened international cooperation can help translate this potential into concrete opportunities - driving innovation, expanding access to education, fostering economic growth, promoting sustainable development, and delivering shared benefits for both countries of origin and destination.
Looking ahead, this Thematic Meeting offers a collaborative platform to explore youth engagement, education, and innovation as central pillars of sustainable migration governance, and to harness the 'triple-win' potential of youth in migration - benefiting host countries, countries of origin, and empowering the global citizens of tomorrow.
Recognising young people as catalysts for positive change, the discussions will also focus on practical ways to integrate youth perspectives into policy and decision-making processes, strengthen the role of youth and diaspora networks, and promote the view of young migrants as co-creators of sustainable migration and development practices. Special emphasis will be placed on the empowerment of young women and girls, ensuring that migration governance is responsive to their needs. By promoting inclusive dialogue and shared responsibilities, the Rabat Process continues to pave the way for a coordinated, youth-centred approach to migration and development.
Expected outcomes:
To this end, it will provide the opportunity to:
- Identify and share good practices in youth empowerment and innovative migration schemes.
- Develop actionable approaches to support education and training in countries of origin, enhance diaspora investments, and improve remittance impact.
- Develop policy recommendations for enhancing youth participation in migration-related dialogues and decision-making.
Representatives of Rabat Process partner countries and organisations may register until 24 April 2025:
Background: Youth, education and innovation in the framework of the Rabat Process
This thematic meeting builds upon the learnings and recommendations of previous Rabat Process thematic activities held under the Cadiz Action Plan, including:
- The meeting on Migration, Youth and Development, co-chaired by The Netherlands and Nigeria, and hosted in The Hague, The Netherlands (19–20 October 2023).
- The meeting on Mobility Schemes as Drivers of Change, co-chaired by Cabo Verde and Portugal, held in Praia, Cabo Verde (20–21 June 2024);
- The meeting on Entrepreneurship and Diaspora Engagement, co-chaired by Portugal and Senegal, with the support of Nigeria, held in Lisbon, Portugal (15–16 May 2024); and
- The meeting on Circular Migration, focusing on economic opportunities and skills development, co-chaired by Morocco and Portugal, held in Rabat, Morocco (31 January 2024).
Building on this rich series of thematic discussions and incorporating fresh perspectives on youth engagement, innovation, and education, this upcoming meeting aims to further advance a shared understanding of how these elements can contribute to more sustainable, inclusive, and mutually beneficial migration dynamics among Rabat Process partners.
