Namibia along with other African countries has been reviewing legal and normative frameworks to promote safe and managed migration. An important guid… - Teopolina Mushelenga

Migration is multi-faceted and complex, affecting and being affected by human security, economic, social and political developments, gender inequality as well as many other processes.

Some migration is fuelled by instability and uncertainty – while many are searching for places where the economic and social conditions are better. Others are simply searching for a place where they can be safe. In the Southern African region the asylum/migration nexus is an increasing problem. Over the last decade and a half or so, Southern Africa was transformed from a sending to a receiving region. Namibia – with its long history of support from the United Nations and its own experiences of exile -continues to respect the institution of asylum and refugee rights. At the same time, we are also seeking to promote voluntary repatriation of those refugees who can return to countries where stability and peace now have returned. In the near future we will also look at the issue of local integration for a tobe-determined number of refugees – long-stayers who no longer have ties to their countries of origin or are unable to return for other reasons, and who can contribute to our national development objectives.

Allow me, on behalf of my delegation, to congratulate you on your election as President of the 61st Session of the General Assembly. I would like to assure you, Madam President, of my delegation's full support and cooperation.