States advance regional cooperation on refugee protection, inclusion, security and solutions at the Lomé Dialogue

Lome, Togo – Ministers and senior officials from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening refugee protection and advancing solutions at the 2^nd Ministerial Meeting of the Lomé Dialogue on National Security and Refugee Protection, held in Lomé this week under the leadership of the President of the Council of the Togolese Republic.

Building on the Lomé Dialogue technical sessions held since 2024, the Ministerial Meeting offered an opportunity to assess progress made following the 2025 Lomé Declaration on National Security and Refugee Protection in the Gulf of Guinea. It also allowed participating States to review implementation of the Subregional Protection and Solutions Strategy 2026–2030, developed with technical support from UNHCR and Resident Coordinators’ Offices to strengthen asylum systems, promote refugee inclusion and advance protection-sensitive solutions.

The Dialogue took place against the backdrop of ongoing influxes into Gulf of Guinea countries linked to insecurity in the Sahel. At the end of July 2026, more than 239,000 refugees and asylum-seekers were registered in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo. These movements underscore the subregional nature of the crisis and the need for a coordinated, harmonized and protection-centred response.

The participation of Mali and Niger as observer States for the first time reflected the broader regional dimension of displacement dynamics linking the Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea, and was welcomed given the contribution that the experiences of Mali and Niger on protection, inclusion and solutions can make to strengthening regional cooperation.

“At a time when insecurity and displacement are placing growing pressure on communities across the region, the Lomé Dialogue provides a unique platform to come together around shared cross-border challenges and advance regional cooperation on forced displacement,” said Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde, UNHCR Regional Director for West and Central Africa. “We commend the Togolese authorities for their leadership in sustaining this dialogue and building on the progress already made, including in strengthening access to asylum and advancing solutions that benefit refugees and the communities hosting them.”

During the Dialogue, participating States took stock of progress achieved, identified persistent challenges and agreed on priorities under the 2026–2030 strategy. Discussions focused on harmonizing asylum management frameworks, expanding refugees’ access to national services and economic opportunities, strengthening support to host communities, and reinforcing subregional coordination.

During the Ministerial Meeting, Tripartite Agreements were signed between Burkina Faso, UNHCR, Ghana, Togo and Benin, and preparations were advanced for a similar agreement between Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and UNHCR. These agreements are intended to establish a framework for voluntary repatriation when conditions are conducive to sustainable reintegration, and when refugees freely choose to return in safety and dignity.

This Ministerial Meeting took place during the 75^th anniversary year of the 1951 Refugee Convention. As highlighted by all participating States and UNHCR, seventy-five years after the adoption of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the Lomé Dialogue shows that its principles remain as relevant as ever. “Through this process of dialogue, participating States have succeeded in turning the challenges of asylum into a process characterized by cooperation, resilience and the search for new solutions,” Said Elizabeth Tan, Director of International Protection and Solutions at UNHCR.

UNHCR calls on technical and financial partners to sustain and expand support for the implementation of the Subregional Protection and Solutions Strategy 2026–2030, including investments in protection systems, social cohesion, refugee inclusion, host communities and durable solutions.

The continued engagement of States through the Lomé Dialogue reflects a shared commitment to addressing forced displacement through cooperation, protection and solutions, while ensuring that host communities are also supported.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

• In Dakar (regional), Fidelia Bohissou, [email protected], +221 77 569 91 60