Geneva, 12 October 2017 – The President of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, today ended a two-day visit to Geneva. A major focus of the visit was migration, which the President has called one of his top priorities. In that context, he participated in two key events that were connected to the global compact on safe orderly, and regular migration. The compact has been mandated by United Nations Member States for the 72nd session.
The first event was the second multi-stakeholder hearing on the global compact, which he chaired. The gathering brought together representatives of civil society and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, diaspora and migrant groups and the private sector, as well as representatives of United Nations Member States, parliaments and national human rights institutions. Topics discussed included smuggling of migrants, trafficking in persons, contemporary forms of slavery and regional perspectives on migration. In his address, President Lajčák said, “In our diversity, lies a commonality. None of us wants business as usual. None of us wants people to suffer. None of us wants chaos. None of us favours our current model over safe, orderly and regular migration”.
The President also addressed the sixth informal thematic session on facilitating safe, orderly and regular migration – entitled: “Irregular migration and regular pathways, including decent work, labour mobility, recognition of skills and qualifications and other relevant measures”. In his remarks, the President said: “You and I are people. Migrants are people. Regardless of passports or visas – we all have the same fears and hopes. And, as human beings, we are entitled to the same fundamental rights– no matter where we are, or why we are there.”
In a separate briefing to Permanent Representatives to the United Nations and the wider United Nations community, the President spoke of the importance of bolstering links between the United Nations’ two biggest offices. Noting that Geneva acts as a hub of knowledge and experience in a range of important areas, from health to human rights, he said that the views and ideas of those based there could enhance much of the work the United Nations did in New York – and throughout the world.”
While in Geneva, President Lajčák also met with key officials from the United Nations system, including: United Nations Office at Geneva Director-General Michael Møller; High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein; International Organization for Migration Director General William Lacy Swing; International Labour Organization Director-General Guy Ryder; United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi; International Organization for Standardization Secretary-General Sergio Mujica; Economic Commission for Europe Executive Secretary Olga Algayerová; and World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Petteri Talaas. He also met with the Human Rights Council President, H.E. Mr. Joaquín Maza Martelli, and the United Nations Refugee Agency’s Executive Committee Chair, H.E. Ms. Suraya Dalil.
The President was accompanied to Geneva by his Special Assistant and Political Coordinator, Lenka Miháliková; his Senior Adviser on Migration, Elina Lemmetty-Hartoneva; his Spokesperson, Brenden Varma; and his Adviser on Migration, Eva Schäfer. Travel costs were covered from the United Nations regular budget.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Brenden Varma, Spokesperson for the President of the 72nd Session of the General Assembly, +1-212-963-7238, +1-347-556-3433, varmab@un.org
