Excellencies, Colleagues, Friends,

Thank you for joining today’s consultation. I am particularly pleased at being able to welcome NGOs and civil society back into the UN’s halls and corridors, after a two-year absence. 

I offer my special gratitude to Mr. Antonio Vitorino, Coordinator of the United Nations Network on Migration, for the ongoing cooperation between our offices.

I have made protecting the rights of all, one of the key priorities of my Presidency of Hope. That includes the rights of migrants, who are often among the world’s most marginalized and vulnerable communities – many of whom are forced to undertake their journeys, driven by desperate circumstances born of conflict and scarcity.

I will continue to advocate on behalf of their rights when I chair the inaugural Migration Review Forum from 17-20 May under the auspices of the General Assembly, and when I host the multistakeholder hearing on 16 May in the lead up to the event.

Colleagues,

Human migration may well be an age-old activity touching almost every society around the world; however, it is changing in important ways.

Examining the shifts in scale, direction, demography and frequency can illuminate how migration is evolving while also pointing to long-term trends that have been shaped by historical as well as recent events. The upcoming IMRF precisely offers us this opportunity.

The last two years have been witness to major migration and displacement events; events that have caused great hardship and trauma, as well as loss of life.

Foremost of these events have been the displacements of millions of people due to conflict, or severe economic and political instability.

There have also been large-scale displacements triggered by climate and weather-related disasters in many parts of the world.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the interconnections between migration and mobility, with COVID-19 travel restrictions resulting in unprecedented immobility around the world.

As we continue to deal with a global pandemic, and all the socio-economic consequences it has entailed, we must be prepared for how all these events will impact migration, both regular and irregular.

In an environment in which restrictive migration-related policies, such as border management, entry requirements and stay limitations, have become more prominent across the globe, it appears that there are systemic risks to the full realization of the SDGs and gains in human development.

The situation has been further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted mobility across the globe, forcing countries to re-evaluate their migration and border policies for the new post-pandemic world.

Colleagues,

The global community, now, more than ever, has a responsibility to step up and uphold the human rights of all migrants, at every stage of their journey, regardless of their origin or status.

To that end, the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration remains a historic milestone. Its comprehensive approach provided us with the opportunity to shape a new global framework for migration. One which unlocks the benefits and mitigates the risks of migration, and addresses the priorities and concerns of migrants and host-communities alike.

I am heartened by the progress we have made in the three years since its adoption. Yet our successes remain fragile, and it is up to us to consolidate and build upon them.

Colleagues, 

As the First International Migration Review Forum fast approaches, let us set our sights high and commit to ambitious outcomes.

The Forum will be an inclusive event for all stakeholders to discuss progress on implementing the Global Compact, as well as migration as a whole. We will discuss our common challenges, learn from our mistakes, build on our successes, and strengthen partnerships between states and all stakeholders.

This collaboration across stakeholders remains critical to the implementation of the compact, as was illustrated during the pandemic, when civil society and others helped deliver vital aid and services.

The multistakeholder hearing that will be held prior to the IMRF, will be an important avenue to hear from all relevant stakeholders: 

The summary of the hearing will be carried into the opening plenary of the IMRF by a civil society representative. This will help apprise governments about existing gaps and the best methods of closing them.

Colleagues,

Today’s briefing relates to the hearing scheduled for 16 May.

I am keen to hear your views on the thematic priorities of focus.

Some points to consider could be:

  • the ways in which we can save lives and improve the quality of life of migrants;
  • how we can build more inclusive societies;
  • how to guarantee decent work in this era of digitalization; and,
  • crucially, how to protect and uphold human rights during cross-border movements.

I welcome the keenness of stakeholders to contribute to the forum, and I urge all participants to use the time between now and the IMRF to listen and prepare.

By doing so we can lay the groundwork for concrete action to implement policies aligned with the spirit of the Global Compact for Migration. Concrete action that protects the most vulnerable and facilitates safe and regular pathways for migration. 

I am certain, that by working together, we can achieve this outcome.

I thank you and wish you all a very productive discussion. And I look forward to seeing you in-person, in May.