South Africa’s experience in using technology to make border management smarter and more integrated will take centre stage this week when Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato joins international counterparts for discussions on the future of immigration governance.
Masiapato will attend the Sub-Forum on Migration Management Cooperation at the 2026 Conference of Global Public Security Cooperation, taking place from 8 - 11 September in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China.
Masiapato is attending at the invitation of the Chinese Government, with the Sub-Forum bringing together international counterparts to strengthen dialogue, share best practice and explore practical cooperation on migration management, border security and other shared global security challenges.
Held under the theme: “Unity, Mutual Trust and Practical Cooperation: Forging a New Landscape for Global Immigration Governance”, the Sub-Forum will provide a platform for countries to consider how they can work together to respond to increasingly complex border and migration challenges.
As a speaker at the Sub-Forum, Masiapato will focus on one of the key tools shaping modern border management — digitisation.
His presentation, titled: “The Criticality of Digitisation in the Implementation of an Integrated Border Management Model”, will showcase South Africa’s experience in using technology and digital systems to strengthen border management.
Masiapato will also highlight the importance of an integrated approach to managing the movement of people and goods, while enhancing security and facilitating legitimate travel and trade.
For the BMA, the engagement is about more than sharing South Africa’s experience; it is also an opportunity to learn from other countries and explore innovative approaches to migration management, border security and the use of technology.
Masiapato said international cooperation has become increasingly important, as countries face complex and evolving challenges linked to migration and border management.
“Modern border management requires countries to work together, share information and leverage technology to secure borders, while facilitating the legitimate movement of people.
“Digitisation is a critical enabler of an integrated border management model, and platforms such as this Sub-Forum provide an opportunity for countries to share experiences, learn from one another and identify practical areas of cooperation,” he said.
Masiapato will be accompanied by the Commandant in the Office of the Commissioner and the Deputy Assistant Commissioner responsible for the Operational Command Centre.
The visit will also include a stopover at the China People’s Police University, which has an established reputation in border management, border security, travel document verification and related fields.
The visit will give the BMA delegation an opportunity to gain insight into the university’s institutional arrangements, training programmes and specialised capabilities, particularly in immigration and border management.
The engagement could also help inform the BMA’s longer-term consideration of establishing a Border Management Academy in South Africa, aimed at strengthening the professional development and specialised training of immigration and border management officials.
The BMA sees the Sub-Forum as an important first step towards strengthening communication and practical cooperation between South Africa’s BMA and the National Immigration Administration of the People’s Republic of China.
The BMA also hopes to build on the engagement to develop meaningful, practical and long-term partnerships in areas of mutual interest, including digitisation, immigration governance, border security, skills development, training and the exchange of technical expertise.
As the BMA joins its international counterparts in Lianyungang, the focus will be on finding practical ways to make border management more coordinated, secure and efficient, while ensuring legitimate travellers and trade can continue to move with greater ease. – SAnews.gov.za
