Government reinforces commitment to structured diaspora engagement through new policy framework

A workshop aiming to review and validate the draft National Diaspora Policy, a comprehensive strategic framework aimed at strengthening engagement with the Mauritian diaspora worldwide, opened this morning at the Caudan Arts Centre in Port-Louis.

The Junior Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Hambyrajen Narsinghen; the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms Lisa Simrique Singh; the Permanent Secretary (Defence and Home Affairs Division) of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Ms K. Kautick; and the Chief of Mission for International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ms Alia Hirji, were present.

The workshop is an initiative of the PMO and the IOM in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade. The objective is to provide a platform for multi-stakeholder consultation and ensuring that the policy reflects the needs and aspirations as well as the development priorities of the diaspora.

In his address, Junior Minister Narsinghen reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to place diaspora at the heart of the national employment agenda highlighting the significant contribution of the Mauritian diaspora. The National Diaspora Policy, he emphasised, seeks to facilitate diaspora investment, knowledge and skills transfer, innovation partnerships, social and cultural engagement, and enhanced protection and welfare mechanisms.

Mauritius, he noted, is undergoing a significant demographic transition characterised by sustained outward migration with some more than 280,000 Mauritians residing overseas. He thus stressed on the importance of coordinating engagement, implementing actionable policies, empowering diaspora youth and aligning efforts with national priorities for Mauritius to transform outward migration into a development multiplier.

The adoption of Mauritius’ first National Diaspora Policy will be a key milestone for the Government, ensuring that it reflects national development priorities and international best practices in diaspora engagement, stated the Junior Minister.

As for Ms Singh, she commended the Government for its approach to implementing a coherent and long-term framework aimed at positioning the Mauritian diaspora as a strategic partner in the country’s sustainable development. She highlighted that this initiative will help consolidate fragmented efforts under a unified policy framework, thereby ensuring greater coordination, efficiency and impact.

The framework will also encourage and enhance the participation of the Mauritian diaspora across key sectors, including tourism, trade and investment, culture and broader economic and development activities, she added.

27 February 2026

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Topics: Foreign Affairs