Monday, global representatives gathered under the Ninth Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) where delegates discussed and investigated three topics: the social, economic, and legal aspects of the Global Migration Compact. Ambassador Shahidul Haque gave opening remarks. He expressed that a rise in globalization can be attributed to the fluidity in current global migration. Claiming ignorance to be a fatal mistake, he argued that migration is not a political nor social issue, but a component of sustainability and global development.

Several representatives voiced concerns on the effects of forced migration on women, children, and families. The Paris Agreements and many global partnerships since have been successful policies on aiding migrants and countries alike with forced migration. Mr. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary General of the UN, expressed optimism  in the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda, especially concerning access to healthcare resources and educational opportunities. Being an issue that only recently became an official goal of the UN, accurate research and understanding of current migration trends is vital for representatives to be cooperative and helpful in drafting global solutions.

Negative community and family perceptions of migrants versus the reality that migrants live was discussed throughout the day. Mental, social, and emotional damages endured before, during, and after the migration affect people’s roles in their host countries. Challenges also arise with historical, cultural, and language differences and barriers that migrants experience in new, host countries. Non-discriminatory and inclusive protection of safety and human rights should be a priority for migrants in host countries. Ms. Eva Sandis of the NGO Committee on Migration emphasized the need for partnership and participation in civil society in order to protect migrants on a day to day basis. Concluding remarks were made by H.E. Ambassador Shahidul Haque, “Migration is a global challenge and global chance.” It depends how the international community approaches the migration issues are the realities for millions of people.

Meeting: Permanent Mission of Bangladesh and Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD)-Troika, “Global Migration Compact”

Date/Location: Monday, 14 November, 2016; 10:00-10:35, 10:45-12:45, 14:15-16:00, and 16:15-17:00; United Nations Headquarters, Conference Room 12

Speakers: H.E. Ambassador Shahidul Haque, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh and GFMD 2016 Chair; H.E. Ambassador Masud Bin Momen, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in New York; Mr. Sönke Lorenz, Head of Migration Issues, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Germany; Mr. Ahmed Skim, Director of Migration Affairs, Ministry in charge of Moroccans Residing Abroad and Migration Affairs, Morocco; H.E. Ambassador Mr. Mehmet Samsar, Director General for Consular Affairs, Turkey; Mr. Gregory A. Maniatis, Senior Adviser to Mr. Peter Sutherland, the UN Special Representative for International Migration; Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, Special Adviser ad interim on Follow-up to the Summit on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants; Mr. Jan Eliasson, Deputy Secretary General, United Nations; H.E. Ambassador William Lacy Swing, Director General, International Organization for Migration; Ms. Sadia Faizunnesa, Director General (UN), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh; Mr. Gervais Appave, Senior Policy Adviser, International Organization for Migration; Mr. Enrico Fos, Minister, Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the UN in Geneva; Mrs. Samantha Jayasuriya, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva; Ms. Eva Sandis, NGO Committee on Migration; H.E. Ambassador Mr. Riaz Hamidullah, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka; Mr. Dilip Ratha, Lead Economist, Development Prospects Group and Manager DEC-PREM Migration and Remittances Unit, World Bank; Mr. Arturo Cabrera, Former Deputy Minister for Migration, Ecuador; H.E. Ambassador Javier Carbajosa Sánchez, Ambassador at Large for Migration Issues; Ms. Megdelawit Kidane, Global Coalition on Migration (GCM); Ms. Lynn Shotwell, Executive Director at Council for Global Immigration; Ms. Nahida Sobhan, Minister, Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, Bangladesh; Mr. Ryszard Cholewinski, Migration Policy Specialist, International Labour Organization; Mr. Erica Usher, Senior Director at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Canada; Mr. Samson Lungo, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Zambia to the UN in Geneva; Mr. Craig Mokhiber, Chief, Development, Economic and Social Issues Branch, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; Mr. Pablo Ceriani Cernadas, Vice-chairperson, Committee on Migrant Workers; H.E. Ambassador M. Shameem Ahsan, Permanent Representative of bangladesh to the UN in Geneva; Mr. Thomas Gass, Assistant Secretary General, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs; Professor Michael Doyle, University of Columbia, New York; Mr. Christian Leffler, EU Deputy Secretary General in charge of Economic and Global Issues in the European External Action Service and In Charge of Migration Issues

Written By: Janet Lee, WIT Representative