Platform for Cooperation on Mixed Migration (PCMM) Announces CulturalHangout Festival 2025 – A three-city celebration of migrants’ contributions and rights

The Platform for Cooperation on Mixed
Migration (PCMM) has announced the Cultural Hangout Festival (CHF) 2025, a
landmark three-city cultural celebration to be held in Abuja (Nigeria), London, and
Manchester (United Kingdom) in commemoration of the United Nations International
Migrants Day.

Scheduled for December 12–14, 2025 in Abuja, the festival will unite migrants, policy
leaders, cultural icons, and development partners under the theme “Honouring the
Contributions of Migrants and Respecting Their Rights.”

The London and
Manchester editions will follow, bringing together African and global communities to
foster dialogue, cultural exchange, and economic opportunities.

From London to Abuja: A Global Cultural Journey
The Abuja edition builds on the success of the inaugural CHF London held in May
2025 in commemoration of Africa Day, which was proudly endorsed by the African
Union and attended by Africans in the Diaspora, People of African Descent, and
lovers of African culture. CHF Abuja now brings the celebration to Nigeria’s capital —
a city at the heart of regional migration governance — showcasing Nigeria’s
leadership in creating an inclusive environment where migrants are welcomed and
valued.

Aligning with UN Commitments and the Global Compact for Migration (GCM)
The Cultural Hangout Festival directly supports the objectives of the Global Compact
for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), particularly:
 Objective 16: Empower migrants and societies to realize full inclusion and
social cohesion.
 Objective 17: Eliminate all forms of discrimination and promote evidence-
based public discourse to shape perceptions of migration.
 Objective 19: Create conditions for migrants and diasporas to fully contribute
to sustainable development.

By integrating music, dance, art, storytelling, trade exhibitions, and policy dialogue,
CHF serves as a living platform where culture becomes a tool for building trust,
strengthening community bonds, and promoting human rights.
A Night of Recognition – Migrant Excellence Awards
One of the festival’s major highlights will be the Migrant Excellence Awards Night, an exclusive red-carpet event celebrating outstanding migrants whose work and
dedication have made significant contributions to Nigerian society and beyond.

Why Abuja, Why Now?
Nigeria currently holds the Chairmanship of the Rabat Process, a key African
European dialogue platform on migration and development. Hosting CHF in Abuja at
this time underscores Nigeria’s role as a continental leader in advancing safe,
orderly, and regular migration while championing migrant rights and cultural
diplomacy.

Quotes
“Cultural Hangout Festival is more than an event — it’s a declaration that migration
enriches societies. We are here to challenge negative narratives, foster inclusion,
and celebrate the people who carry cultures across borders,” said Aihawu Victor,
Director of PCMM and CEO of CHF.

About PCMM & CHF
The Platform for Cooperation on Mixed Migration (PCMM) is a national network of
civil society organizations working to promote migrant rights, safe migration
pathways, and inclusive development. The Cultural Hangout Festival (CHF) is a
trademarked platform co-organized with Africa Multicultural & Heritage Promotion Ltd
(AMHP), designed to celebrate the cultural and economic contributions of migrants
while advancing policy dialogue and trade opportunities.

Press Conference Details
A formal press conference to unveil the full program, participating countries, and
partners will be held in Abuja in September. Members of the media, diplomatic corps,
cultural organizations, and development partners are invited to attend.