Third Multi-Stakeholder Hearing for the Global Compact for Migration

– As delivered –

Statement by H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, President of the 72^nd Session of the UN General Assembly, at the third informal interactive multi-stakeholder hearing of the preparatory process for the Global Compact for Migration

Excellencies, Special Representative Arbour, esteemed co-facilitators, dear colleagues, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you for being here today.

We are all involved in a process to adopt the first Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. And, we are at the halfway point.

Today, we are participating in the third informal interactive multi-stakeholder meeting. This is a bit of a technical name. But actually, what we are here to do is quite logical and clear.

Because, we are here to make sure that our outcome can have an impact on all of society – not just part of it. And we are here to make sure that we listen to as many voices and ideas as possible on how we can make this happen.

Frankly, my voice is probably the least important one today. So, I will make two brief points, and leave the rest up to all of you.

First, I want to look at what a whole-of-society approach means.

In one sense, it means that this global compact must be adaptable to every country of the world. And, for this to happen, we have to understand the different contexts and circumstances in each country. How many migrants is it home to? What have been the impacts of migration on its society and economy? Which laws and policies are in place?

Since this process has begun, we have learnt a lot. We have heard directly from Member States and other stakeholders about their national contexts. We have listened to facts and statistics. And we will learn even more today.

However, we cannot achieve a whole-of-society approach by focusing our attention just on the national-level. This will not tell us the whole story. For example, it will not show us that one town has a high migrant population, while there are almost no migrants living in a town 100 miles away. It will not tell us how migration affects individual schools, hospitals, universities, or businesses. It will not highlight local customs and best practices, or allow us to hear the perspectives of local communities.

Because, migration doesn’t just affect different countries in different ways. Even within a single country, it can have diverse impacts and effects. So, if we focus only on national contexts, we will miss out.

First, in terms of best practices. Because, there are many innovative initiatives happening at the local level. They include integration campaigns, buddy networks, free legal clinics, knowledge transfer schemes and information apps. They involve a wide variety of actors – from community centres to local authorities. Some of these initiatives have already influenced national policy-making. And now, we need to look at how we can create conditions in which they can flourish.

Secondly, if we don’t look beyond the national-level, we will also miss out on opportunities. For example, various observers have pointed to the link between migration and Sustainable Development – including at the local level. Interaction between migrants, and local authorities and mechanisms can act as a resource for Sustainable Development – not only in relation to areas such as sustainable urban planning, but across all 17 Goals. Migrants can also contribute to local economies through new investments, skills, labour and expertise.

As we know, society is made up of various types of people. And, if we don’t include all of them, we will not be able to have a whole-of-society approach. And that’s why I want to emphasise, as my second point, the value of multi-stakeholder engagement.

Governments decide on the laws and policies related to migration – from security, to education, health and employment. They have done this throughout history. They do it today. And they will continue to do it after we have adopted the Global Compact. This is why they will be the main drivers of the negotiation process, due to start in February 2018.

But, migration affects whole societies. Which means whole societies must be involved in responding to it. And so, we need to listen to many different perspectives. These must come from health workers, border police, NGOs, teachers, community leaders, social welfare officials, and migrants themselves. These stakeholders do not set the laws or policies. But they are the ones to implement them, interact with them, and feel the effect of them. And so, their voices are just as important.

We will also need partnerships between different segments of society. That means we need to identify the ones that are happening now – and working now. And we need to support them – and replicate them elsewhere. But it also means we need to create new ones.

These partnerships could take many different forms: Meetings between local government officials and business representatives on the hiring of skilled migrants. Forums for NGOs and law enforcement authorities to work hand in hand, to combat human trafficking. New public-private investments in infrastructure and technology. Or spaces for entrepreneurs, local authorities and migrants, to work side-by-side.

Excellencies, dear colleagues.

I want to conclude by stressing, again, the importance of our discussion today. The Global Compact must be implemented at all levels of society. And, this must be done by people who live, work and participate at all levels of society. This means we do, indeed, need a whole-of-society approach. And, to get it, we need multi-stakeholder buy-in.

I will admit that not every discussion we have in this building is of a multi-stakeholder nature. Some could be better described as limited-stakeholder – or even single-stakeholder. But that is not the case today. Instead, we will listen to many different voices. We will hear the views of a senator, a journalist, a lecturer, a business representative, and representatives of civil society. And we will take as many questions and reactions from you as possible.

So please get involved. Please interact. Please give your insight, as stakeholders. Please bring experiences from the societies you work and live in.

Today is International Migrants Day. And I can think of no better way to celebrate it than participating in a process which will have a direct impact on the lives and societies of migrants around the world.

I thank you for your attention.