15 July 2013: Participants in informal interactive hearings on international migration and development stressed the role of civil society and partnerships in advancing migration discussions, and recognized a need for constructive cooperation and implementation of concrete measures.

The hearings took place on 15 July 2013, at UN Headquarters in New York, US, in advance of the Second High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development on October 3-4, 2013. UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Vuk Jeremić encouraged civil society to shape preparations for the Dialogue. He observed that there is no international mechanism to regulate migration, and recommended that Member States address migration to bridge the gap between rich and poor countries and ensure that migration does not hinder sustainable development or result in further inequalities.

William Gois, Migrant Forum, said civil society aimed to present a united message and develop concrete policy recommendations at the Dialogue. Peter Sutherland, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for International Migration, suggested civil society share its “life experience” to facilitate action and policy change.

Highlighting the importance of migration in the post-2015 development agenda, UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson supported the Dialogue “as the beginning of a five-year action agenda, with benchmarks and indicators,” and suggested that local, regional and international migration policies form part of the post-2015 agenda. Eliasson also said strong, sustained partnerships and strategic cooperation among actors is critical to harness the benefits of migration and create jobs, trade and wealth. He noted a need to “dispel negative perceptions and often-stated stereotypes” about migrants and instead illustrate “the vital and positive role migrants can play in helping build and invigorate nations, economies and cultures.”

Participants also discussed, inter alia: migrant labor; the role of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and businesses in migrant governance; protection and vulnerability; specific risks facing women and children migrants; youth perspectives; and remittances. Susan Martin, Georgetown University, and Dennis Sinyolo, Education International served as co-moderators.

The UNGA President’s Office is expected to prepare a summary of the hearings. [UN Press Release] [Meeting Summary] [Statement of Deputy Secretary-General] [Statement of UNGA President] [Event Programme]