The African Union (AU) Member States Experts’ held a meeting on the Interpretation of Article 1(2) of the 1969 OAU Convention in the Context of Climate Change, Disasters, and the Humanitarian–Peace–Health Nexus, in Gaborone, Botswana, from 29 June to 2 July 2026. The Commissioner for Refugees and Migration, Ms. Nthati Mosebi, represented the Kingdom of Lesotho at the assembly.

The meeting was jointly organized by the African Union (AU), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the World Health Organization (WHO), and brought together experts from AU Member States, regional institutions, and technical resource persons to discuss emerging issues relating to refugee protection in Africa.

The discussions focused on the interpretation of Article 1(2) of the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, particularly in light of the growing impacts of climate change, disasters, public health emergencies, and their intersection with humanitarian and peacebuilding efforts. Participants exchanged experiences and explored approaches to strengthening refugee protection frameworks while responding to evolving displacement challenges across the continent.

Lesotho’s participation reflects the Government’s commitment to contributing to regional dialogue on refugee protection, migration governance, and durable solutions for displaced persons. The meeting also provided an opportunity to share experiences, strengthen cooperation with fellow AU Member States, and reinforce partnerships with international organizations in advancing protection for refugees and other forcibly displaced populations. The Ministry of Home Affairs and Police remains committed to working with regional and international partners to uphold the principles of the 1969 OAU Convention and ensure that Lesotho continues to contribute to Africa’s collective efforts in promoting protection, resilience, and sustainable responses to displacement.