Migration is a \u201cdefining feature of humanity and our world\u201d, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has told the General Assembly while launching his second report on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.<\/p>\n
\u201cMigration is a fact of life\u201d and a \u201cpositive phenomenon\u201d that enriches societies and economies, the UN chief said. However, if poorly managed, it generates huge challenges, he added, \u201cfrom tragic loss of life, to rights abuses and social tensions\u201d, which is why effectively managing migration and protecting their rights, requires \u201cstrengthened international cooperation\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Global Compact reflects the commitment of the international community to make migration work for all \u2013 to make it a source of prosperity and solidarity, not a byword for inhumanity\u201d, he stated. Three years on, this task remains as urgent as ever.<\/p>\n
The UN chief commended all who have helped migrants integrate into host countries, facilitated regular pathways, and advanced collaboration between countries of origin, transit and destination.<\/p>\n
However, he underscored that \u201cmuch more can and should be done\u201d.<\/p>\n
Guterres\u2019 outlined report recommendations that encompassed four priorities, beginning with promoting inclusive societies and include migrants in COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.<\/p>\n
Despite playing an \u201coutsized heroic role\u201d in frontline response and providing a \u201cvital lifeline\u201d for families with scarce resources through their remittances, migrants are often excluded from recovery measures and denied access to basic services. Moreover, many experience growing stigmatization, racism, and xenophobia.<\/p>\n
As women and child face higher risks of trafficking along with gender-based violence, abuse and exploitation, others are forcibly returned, \u201cwith insufficient regard to health risks, due process or procedural safeguards\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n
He urged all governments to better protect migrants\u2019 human rights, break down barriers for access to essential services, expand migration pathways and suspend forced return.<\/p>\n
Although over 80 per cent of the world\u2019s migrants move between countries in a safe and orderly fashion, unregulated migration continues to extract a terrible human cost.<\/p>\n
\u201cLarge migration flows today are essentially managed by smugglers and human traffickers. This is totally unacceptable\u201d, said Mr. Guterres, stressing the need for safe and regular migration.<\/p>\n
He painted a grim picture of \u201cthese criminals\u201d robbing people of their fundamental rights, stealing their dreams, and causing serious problems around the world, with \u201cwomen and girls targeted again and again\u201d.<\/p>\n
The only way to break the stranglehold of smugglers and traffickers is to establish pathways for regular migration in close cooperation between countries of origin and destination, according to the UN chief.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must better protect migrants in vulnerable situations, including those affected by disasters and the climate crisis\u2026expand and diversify rights-based pathways for regular migration to address labour market shortages, and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said more needed to done \u201cto ensure returns and readmissions are safe, dignified and in full accordance with obligations under international law.\u201d<\/p>\n
All governments must also work together to ensure their safe and sustainable reintegration into home communities, he added.<\/p>\n
In the last seven years, nearly 50,000 migrant deaths have been recorded across the world, although the actual numbers are higher.<\/p>\n
\u201cBehind each number is a human being\u201d, said the UN chief, outlining the priority of preventing loss of life and other tragedies during migration, and ending the exploitation of the vulnerable.<\/p>\n
Calling their deaths \u201ca source of collective shame\u201d, the UN chief said it is \u201ca humanitarian imperative and a moral and legal obligation\u201d to eliminate smuggling and human trafficking.<\/p>\n
Describing \u201ccollaboration and cooperation\u201d across all States as \u201cthe cornerstones\u201d of the Global Compact, the Secretary-General drew attention to the UN Network for Migration, which has established a Capacity Building Mechanism \u2013 with a Migration Network Hub and Multi-Partner Trust Fund \u2013 to help achieve this.<\/p>\n
Guterres expressed hope that during the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF), his report should help prepare \u201ctangible, ambitious and actionable pledges\u201d for a \u201cstrong political outcome\u201d that fosters \u201cglobal solidarity towards migrants\u2026and build[s] more resilient and inclusive societies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether \u2013 and only together \u2013 can we safeguard our common humanity and secure the rights and dignity of all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hosting the briefing, General Assembly Abdulla Shahid said the report would play a key role during the IMRF.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we anticipate the first review of the Global Compact, we must aspire to far reaching and ambitious outcomes\u201d, he said, adding that the forum must be \u201ca space to discuss common challenges, rectify failures, and explore avenues to strengthen partnerships between States and stakeholders\u201d.<\/p>\n
This requires international cooperation and the strengthening of human rights-based, gender-responsive, child-sensitive migration policies that prioritize the dignity of all people.<\/p>\n
Shahid called on Member States to take \u201cconcrete actions\u201d to foster bilateral and regional cooperation\u2026accelerate the implementation of the selected programmes in the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund and contribute to the dedicated funding window.<\/p>\n
As \u201ca whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach is vital\u201d for the IMRF, he encouraged the participants to consult with their national counterparts in preparing national strategies and invite local stakeholders to join their delegations.<\/p>\n
In view of the progress already made, he also called on Member States to maintain strong momentum going forward by \u201charnessing the power of multilateralism\u201d, to achieve the Global Compact\u2019s goals and address the needs of \u201call migrants and host-communities alike\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Migration is a \u201cdefining feature of humanity and our world\u201d, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has told the General Assembly while launching his second report on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. \u201cMigration is a fact of life\u201d and a \u201cpositive phenomenon\u201d that enriches societies and economies, the UN chief said. However, if […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":244966,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[3218,4171,4170,3217],"class_list":{"0":"post-244965","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world","8":"tag-antonio-guterres","9":"tag-migration","10":"tag-phenomenon","11":"tag-un-chief"},"yoast_head":"\n