Participants at a UN General Assembly (UNGA) Panel Discussion on Migration and Development called for protecting the human rights of migrants, addressing negative stereotypes, and factoring migration into development planning and the post-2015 development agenda.
The event took place in preparation for the UNGA's second High-Level Dialogue (HLD) on Migration and Development, to be held on 3-4 October 2013.
25 June 2013: Participants at a UN General Assembly (UNGA) Panel Discussion on Migration and Development called for protecting the human rights of migrants, addressing negative stereotypes, and factoring migration into development planning and the post-2015 development agenda. The event took place in preparation for the UNGA’s second High-Level Dialogue (HLD) on Migration and Development, to be held on 3-4 October 2013.
The UNGA President organized the one-day special event at UN Headquarters in New York, US, on 25 June 2013. Acting UNGA President Rodney Charles (Trinidad and Tobago) called on the international community to address the deepening relationship between international migration and development, citing the role of diaspora communities in entrepreneurship and investment.
Three panel discussions addressed: the drivers and impacts of migration and development; protecting migrant rights; and planning for the 2013 HLD and beyond. Panelists urged governments to factor migration into development planning and integrate it into the post-2015 development agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They called for better protection of migrants’ human rights and more effective management of migration in crisis situations.
Civil society called for a five-year action plan for stakeholder collaboration to be adopted at the HLD. Several participants called for efforts against the criminalization of migration, which they said could improve perceptions of migrants and migration.
The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) highlighted UN system-wide efforts through the Global Migration Group, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
The IOM issued a position paper for the HLD, calling for, inter alia: recognition of migrants’ contribution to the economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainable development; human rights protection; and inclusion of migration issues in the post-2015 development agenda. [UN Meeting Summary] [Concept Note for Event] [UNGA President’s Remarks] [IOM Webpage on HLD] [DESA Webpage on HLD] [Civil Society Website on HLD]