Addis Ababa, May 28 (IANS): The African Union (AU) has called on its member states to make their countries attractive and safer to discourage citizens making perilous journeys on migration in search of better lives.

The pan-African bloc on Wednesday held a memorial service for migrant victims at the AU headquarters in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, which was attended by diplomats, AU partners, local and international organisations, civil society organisations, religious leaders and returned migrants, Xinhua reported.

Speaking on the occasion, Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, AU Commissioner for Social Affairs, expressed concerns at the pattern in which young people are losing their lives through the hazardous journeys in search of better lives.

The commissioner underscored the need to find immediate and long-term solutions to prevent such kind of catastrophes.

"Despite the initiatives that AU is undertaking on the issue of human trafficking and irregular migration, we have to accept that the challenges still remain and more needs to be done," said the commissioner.

"We need to make a conscious effort to address the root causes of these tragedies by building each other up honestly and sincerely," emphasized Kaloko.

Wahade Belay, representative of the Ethiopian government, noted that the situation requires a comprehensive and universal response to eliminate the abuse, violence and exploitation experienced by migrants.

The partners reaffirmed their support and promised to continue working closely with AU to find a permanent solution to these vices.