y IN AFRICA MIGRATION FOR DEVELOPMENT Executive Summary IN AFRICA of accountable labour recruitment and admission systems, and the promotion of standardised bilateral labour agreements to ensure the protection of migrant workers and facilitation of remittance transfers. The framework advocates for the integration of migrants into the labour market and the education and training sector, as well as the provision of social protection and social security benefits for labour migrants while working abroad, as well as upon their return. Regional cooperation and harmonisation of labour migration policies can foster regular labour migration to meet the supply and demand of domestic and foreign labour markets, promote the enforcement of labour standards, and reduce recourse to irregular migration. In this regard the framework recommends the harmonization and strengthened implementation of AU and REC free movement provisions related to residence and establishment, as well as enhanced cooperation among Member States in regard to the facilitation of free movement. Countering brain drain and mitigating its effects on national economies are important policy objectives for African countries. To this end the framework urges States to encourage its nationals abroad to contribute to the development of their countries of origin through financial, skills, technology and knowledge transfers. It further recommends the implementation of brain gain strategies such as temporary return programmes for Diasporas to alleviate skill shortages in critical sectors and foster skills development; and the facilitation of the regional and continental mobility of professionals. Remittances can improve people’s resilience to shocks and even offer a pathway out of poverty through investments in education, health and income-generating activities. Therefore, identifying ways to maximise the developmental impact of remittances, improving the efficiency of remittance transfer mechanisms, and reducing remittance transfer costs are topics of growing importance to African countries. Diaspora Engagement is one key aspect of fostering the migration-development nexus. Strategies in this respect include instituting policies and environment frameworks that foster Diaspora participation in the development of the Continent and their countries of origin. Some these initiatives include establishing national Diaspora focal points and/or agencies to manage Diaspora affairs, conferring dual citizenship on nationals abroad, Diaspora mapping, better investment protection for Diasporas, and the facilitation of the transfer of knowledge by Diasporas to countries of origin. Border Governance refers to a system of norms, institutions and the collaboration of states, society and non-state actors around border management. Further, it goes beyond the mere management of borders, which relates to the implementation of parts of this system, and comprises the rules, techniques and procedures for regulating the movement of people and goods across borders. The trend towards the securitisation of migration and borders should not engender the closing of borders and hamper integration efforts in Africa. Rather, cross-border cooperation in security, immigration and development needs to be intensified to allow for the effective governance of borders and stimulate economic integration. Due to a number of factors, including increased barriers to regular migration and the need for international protection, irregular migration is increasing. Irregular migration is closely linked to migrant 11