Opening the discussion, @UN_PGA noted that this meeting will affirm the importance of the Compact by drawing upon its principles and outlining the challenges in order to strengthen our communities.
Speaking at the International Migration Review Forum, @antonioguterres noted that “migration is a fact of life. In fact, it is as old as human life itself, yet migrants are often vilified.”
.@antonioguterres noted the need to expand rights-based pathways for migrants & ensure any returns are safe, dignified and in full respect of international law. While, migrants must not be excluded from pandemic recovery measures, nor denied access to services.
“We are here to take stock of how far we have come & how much more we need to do. Any pride is tempered with the reality of what we continue to hear witness to…15,000 dead or missing since the adoption of the Global Compact.” - @IOMchief
.@IOMchief highlighted the responsibility of all to combat racism, discrimination and xenophobia. He also noted the responsibility to clamp down on those who seek to exploit and endanger migrants, traffickers and smugglers.
.@IOMchief: migrants helped communities stay safe during the pandemic but were still excluded from the response and recovery efforts. He implored Member States to use the Global Compact for Migration as guidance to help face down future challenges.
The representative from @CivilSociety_AC gave a summary of the Stakeholder Consultation, which took place on 16 May. He noted that there have been pockets of progress but they has been few and far between and not universally applied.
“Migration today has become more turbulent, irregular, dangerous and deadly…More of us got suck…lost our lives…lost our jobs…had our wages stolen…were detained…were blamed for the pandemic…We can do better. We must do better.”
@CivilSociety_AC Representative from El Salvador: It is our responsibility to grant people their right to stay. Our international cooperation must be strengthened to optimize migration for all.
“Migration is normal.
Migration is natural.
Migration has always existed.
Migration will always exist.
Europe needs migration.
We are an aging society with shrinking workforce.”
- Representative from @EU_Commission at the International Migration Review Forum
“A lot has to be done to fully comply with the objectives of the Global Compact for Migration and we committed.” - Representative from Tajikistan at the International Migration Review Forum in New York
The Representative of Canada highlighted his country’s efforts to establish regular pathways for migration and how they use migration to support their economy and stem worrying demographic trends.
The Representative from Ghana called for Member States to give the Migration Multi-partner Trust Fund the proper support it needs in order to implement the Global Compact for Migration effectively.
The final session of the 1st International Migration Review Forum will be starting at 3pm New York time. Watch it live 📺 media.un.org/en/asset/k1i/k…
We will tweeting highlights from the discussion. Follow along using #Migration2022
“This Forum seeks to open spaces for evaluation and action so that the UN can respond to a reality, which demands exceptional action.” - Representative from Peru at the International Migration Review Forum
The Representative from Jordan highlighted his country’s efforts to support the human rights of migrants and help them contribute to sustainable development by enacting an advanced legal framework for migrant workers.
The Representative from Sweden emphasized that a human dimension should live at the heart of all measures taken related to migration, supporting human rights and gender equality.
The Representative from Mauritius shared a best practice from his country where they enacted a Migration and Development Policy, which takes a whole of government and society approach and touches on all migration matters.
The Representative from Kenya called for collaboration on border and health management internationally and
for non-discriminatory testing and treatment for all people, including migrants.
.@AfricaCDC provided inputs from a regional health perspective on the need for universal health care that includes migrants at the Preparedness for the Next Pandemic Side Event.