Remarks by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly

16 May 2022

 

Excellencies, ladies, and gentlemen,

We have reached the close of today’s informal multistakeholder hearing on migration. I am honored to have hosted this discussion ahead of the inaugural IMRF tomorrow.

I am also delighted to see the participation of Member States in the room today, reflecting the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach that the Global Compact on Migration advocates for.

I thank you for sharing very concrete examples from your work, along with recommendations on how better to implement the objectives of the Global Compact. Your diverse voices from different regions, enriched by your experience on the ground, and the multiple perspectives and skillsets you bring to the topic of migration, are invaluable to these discussions.  

We also heard important perspectives on how to deepen and strengthen the engagement of all relevant stakeholders within the UN System, including the UN Network on Migration and Member States. Realizing this goal will be essential to the outcomes of the IMRF.

It has also been heartening to hear from broader stakeholders, including civil society organizations, cities, and others, who have presented pledges.

I am also heartened to hear that civil society organizations have supported the attendance of at least 55 participants at the IMRF.

Tomorrow, we will open the first International Migration Review Forum. I trust that Mr. Colin Rajah, your representative, will capture today’s key messages, and faithfully represent the views of this diverse group of stakeholders in his message to the IMRF plenary on Thursday.

I also thank the Director General of the IOM and Coordinator of the United Nations Network on Migration, and his wonderful team, for their tireless support in organizing this Hearing.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We come to this historic milestone, after monumental efforts by all stakeholders. These efforts have been fueled by bold ambitions rooted in our collective desire to realize the aspirations and principles of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration.

Tomorrow, we begin a process of reflection. We will reflect on our progress, our successes, and our failures in implementing the Global Compact on Migration. And we will reflect on where we can better cooperate, as we work toward our common goal of ensuring a global migration regime that is not only safe, orderly, and regular – but unlocks the benefits of migration.           

I hope that tomorrow we can build on the sense of urgency we brought to the informal hearing today.

As we speak, the world continues to reel from the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic; from the socio-economic repercussions of geopolitical strife; and from the devastating impacts of a climate crisis.

All of this adds to the challenges faced by migrants

And it adds to the challenges we face, as global leaders and policymakers, in managing cross border movements and responding to the needs of migrants and host-communities.

Time is of the essence, and we cannot dither or equivocate.

We need to act with firmness, conviction, and passion in implementing the Global Compact, and in shaping a migration regime that upholds the rights, well-being, and dignity of everyone involved.

I conclude with those sentiments and wish you a restful evening in preparation for tomorrow’s official launch of the first ever International Migration Review Forum.  

Thank you.