21 September 2016: A UN high-level side event explored the regional dimension of large movements of refugees and migrants, focusing on a comprehensive response to migratory and refugee flows from Africa and the Middle East across the Mediterranean into Europe.

The event was organized on the occasion of the opening of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), which began with a Summit for Refugees and Migrants on Monday, 19 September.

The discussion was co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Ethiopia, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon,the Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the European Union (EU).

Paolo Gentiloni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, opened the meeting by identifying different ways in which migration is being perceived by destination, transit, and source countries. He said that, in Europe, migration triggers insecurity and citizens’ fears, while for origin countries, it triggers a fear of impoverishment through brain drain and transit countries perceive it as an issue of security and poverty. He highlighted that the way Europe is dealing with migration is far from being a reason of pride but a concern for civilization.

Noting that his region accounts for the largest number of refugees and migrants, Tammam Salam, Prime Minister of Lebanon, stressed that too little attention has been given to host communities, which can become either part of the problem or part of the solution. He underlined that humanitarian aid should be equally spread between the displaced and the impoverished host communities in order to avoid social tensions. He called for the international community to increase aid flows in the form of grants.

Nasser Judeh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan, highlighted that each state has the sovereign right to decide who can live on its territories. He stressed the shared moral responsibility that the international community has. He further called for tackling the root causes of the problem and for the international community to provide support for solving issues related internally displaced people (IDPs).

Tedros Adhanom, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, said building walls is not an answer. He stressed the need for: dedicating more resources to encouraging return; safe legal pathways for human mobility; and creating educational and employment opportunities for refugees. He identified as key to tackling the current crisis repatriation, resettlement, and local community development.

André Haspels, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, highlighted the importance of partnerships with the private sector and of innovative training and education programs to facilitate migrants and refugees’ integration in host communities.

Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, Minister of the Interior of Nigeria, underscored the need to tackle the root causes of the problem, which include: poverty; climate change, which causes drought and conflict, posing threats to national and regional security; and terrorism. He called for, inter alia: paying particular attention to IDPs; establishing health care centers and education facilities for IDPs; and developing national plans that take into account the link between migration and development. He further highlighted the need for a UN Refugee Fund.

Kaffa Rakietou Christelle Jackou, Minister of Population, Ministry of the Population and Social Reforms of Niger, stressed the need for: women’s empowerment; promoting safe immigration that is orderly and well regulated; and designing and implementing measures that promote and support the voluntary return of migrants.

Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, stressed that there is not a single “refugee and migrants crisis” but multiple crises, that need to be tackled both together and separately. He highlighted the need to work together on their commonalities: the necessity to prevent loss of life; the dangers of exposure to human trafficking; and the growing feelings of xenophobia. He further noted the increasing need for regional approaches to tackle mixed human mobility flows.

William Lacy Swing, Director General, IOM, called for: learning how to deal with diversity, which is inevitable because of the demographic imbalances between the aging North and the booming South; and for political leaders to prepare the population for the upcoming changes, such as growing multiculturalism and diversity. He stressed that migration is not a problem, but a reality that needs to be managed.

Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice President of the European Commission, stressed that the crisis approach will not lead to a solution or facing it as regional waves but as a global partnership for a reality that it is here to stay. She announced that the EU will mobilize up to €44 billion for investments in the Middle East and Africa, to accompany private investors in the countries where they are needed the most, such as fragile states. Noting that “everything is strongly linked with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she added that priorities should be set in the areas of climate, jobs creation especially for youth, and infrastructure.

The ensuing discussion addressed issues such as: the protection of vulnerable migrants; examples of solidarity and integration; combating human trafficking; and international partnerships to ensure safe and regular migration and refugee flows. [Event Flyer][IISD RS Story on the Opening of the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants][IISD RS Sources]