A/68/PV.26 General Assembly

I have the honour to address this High-level Dialogue on behalf of the Government of Jamaica. We wish to thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report on international migration and development (A/68/190) and to commend the relevant organizations, such as the International Organization for Migration and the Global Migration Group, for their invaluable contributions, which have made this important High-level Dialogue possible. My delegation associates itself with the statement made earlier by the representative of Fiji on behalf of the Group of 77 and China (see A/68/PV.25). Since the first United Nations High-level Dialogue on this subject, held in 2006, Jamaica has demonstrated its commitment to optimizing the benefits of migration, while minimizing its challenges, through national and international activities aimed at empowering migrants, *1349793* 13-49793 (E) protecting their rights and addressing the diverse and complex issues associated with migration. Since that time, Jamaica, and indeed the entire international community, has had to address the impact of emerging issues such as the environment, human trafficking and the impact of climate change on migration. We have made every effort to include those issues in our deliberations at the national level and to identify strategies that will make migration work for countries of origin, destination and transit — and, more important, the migrants themselves. They include actively pursuing actions that protect the human rights of all migrants, including eliminating migrant exploitation, of which human trafficking is a case in point; integrate migration into the development agenda; strengthen the migration evidence base in order to ensure that the data informing policy and programme development are relevant and current; and enhance migration partnerships and cooperation, including strengthening partnerships with the diaspora. In so doing, the Government of Jamaica is committed to providing an environment that respects the human rights and dignity of all migrants, in accordance with its Constitution and international obligations. The legislative framework for that exists and is designed to foster coherence, coordination and harmonization, thereby providing protection for all residents, including migrants. The Government of Jamaica has also developed strategies aimed at improving its capacity to monitor and manage international migration, in line with the country’s socioeconomic development priorities, as outlined in its national development plan, Vision 2030. The assistance of the international donor community has been invaluable in developing the policy, and we wish to thank them for being partners in the process. In that regard, the Government has developed a national policy and plan of action on international migration and development that addresses the broad and evolving range of challenges and opportunities associated with migration. The policy is meant to manage migration in ways that more effectively integrate it into national development planning. That will be achieved by harnessing migration’s development potential to benefit society and migrants through sustainable development and poverty-reduction strategies. The national policy and plan of action also recognizes that migration stimulates the creation of new economic opportunities in destination countries and that migrants become true agents of development through the transfer of human, social and financial capital. We encourage our partners that have not yet done so to develop national plans and forge partnerships at the national and global levels, which can in turn improve cooperation between and among States. Jamaica recognizes the contribution of migration to all three pillars of sustainable development — economic, social and environmental — and acknowledges that migrants are potential agents of development who are well positioned to strengthen cooperation between countries of origin and destination. In that regard, we developed an extended migration profile, launched on 4 September 2012, as part of the larger process of developing our national policy. The profile, the first of its kind in the Caribbean, is a critical tool for improving knowledge on migration and development issues; enhancing the Government’s ability to manage migration; and addressing the gaps identified in the collection and analysis of migration-related data. We have highlighted improved data management as a national priority in order to support the formulation of evidence-based policy planning. We believe that global migration and development perspectives should be people-friendly, enabling countries of origin and destination, and migrants themselves, to share equitably in the benefits of migration. The Government of Jamaica therefore supports efforts to reduce the costs of labour migration. In that regard, every effort should be made to reduce the transfer costs of remittances, which often constitute a supplementary source of household income that affords basic necessities to families left behind. Jamaica also recognizes that remittances are private funds, but supports policies geared towards leveraging their development impact. Jamaica strongly recommends sharing best practices relating to diasporas, in particular the creation of incentives for diaspora communities to invest their financial resources and expertise, particularly where gaps in areas such as investment in health care and education have been identified. In that regard, we recognize that the country’s growth and prosperity agenda is incomplete without the commitment and active participation of the diaspora. In conclusion, I would like to say that Jamaica reiterates its support for this High-level Dialogue and hopes that the outcome of the meeting will ensure that international migration is adequately measured and monitored in order for the development needs of countries such as Jamaica to be served and to address challenges such as determining how to recast and reassess the conversation around the “brain drain” issue, so as to examine the issue of brain gain and brain circulation more closely, and how to manage remittances for national development, poverty reduction and social well-being.

Today’s event gives us all a good opportunity to discuss migration issues in the broader context of moving towards the global post-2015 development agenda. International migration today is a significant factor in the development of countries and entire regions. Belarus is not an exception in that regard. For my country, migration policy is an important component of our national development planning processes. Enacted legislation, policies that promote national and cultural diversity and the absence of conflicts on national, ethnic or religious grounds contribute to the flow of migrants into our country. Migrants arriving in Belarus enjoy the same rights as Belarusian citizens. Migration legislation in Belarus takes into account international experience and commonly accepted legal norms and principles, including key elements of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. In 2011, Belarus enacted a new version of its law on external labour migration, pursuant to which all migrant workers, regardless of their gender, race, nationality, language, religion or political beliefs — provided that they do not interfere with the performance of their work duties — enjoy equal rights for entry into Belarus. Belarus adopted and is implementing a national programme on demographic security for the period 2011-2015. It contains a set of measures that are aimed at addressing migration issues for the good of national development. In order to attract migrant workers into the country and mindful of our investment and educational potential, since 2012 we have reduced the period of review for the issuance of permanent residence permits in the case of aliens for whom an employer has filed an application. I would like to point out that Belarus, like many other countries, faces a problem with the emigration of its highly qualified specialists — the so-called “brain drain” problem. We believe that the solution to the problem lies not only in national measures taken to improve social and economic conditions for the relevant categories of population; it is equally important for us to establish partnerships with countries of destination, including streamlined recruitment practices for Belarusian experts in foreign countries as well as the development of cooperation in the field of professional training of staff in Belarus. Currently, Belarus has elaborated a draft legislative act that provides for the issuance of a permanent residence permit to stateless persons who have no permanent country of residence and who reside in Belarus over a long period. The draft also contains two important provisions — aliens who become employed in a profession that they prepared for by studying at a Belarusian educational establishment will be exempt from needing to receive a special work permit, and professionals with exceptional capabilities and skills will enjoy favourable conditions for moving to and settling in Belarus. Belarus is interested in fostering international cooperation on migration issues at the bilateral, regional and global levels. We have established dynamic cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). With the support of the IOM, an international training centre that provides training, advanced training and retraining of personnel in the field of migration and the fight against human trafficking was opened in 2007 in the city of Minsk. The centre runs training activities for representatives of national and foreign law-enforcement agencies. In May 2013, with the financial support of the Russian Federation, the centre hosted a seminar for the Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking, during which representatives of various regions shared their legislative and law-enforcement experience with regard to preventing illegal migration and combating human trafficking. This year, Belarus holds the presidency of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Accordingly, I would like to draw the Assembly’s attention to the regional position of its member States on migration issues, which was previously circulated as an official document at the current session of the General Assembly. That position, which was prepared in the context of today’s Dialogue, reaffirms the role and influence of the United Nations in shaping the principles of the Commonwealth States’ migration policies and underscores the intention of our States to pursue comprehensive interaction in areas related to the impact of migration processes on sustainable development. Belarus welcomes the activities of the United Nations system in relation to migration issues. We are gratified that the subjects of migration and the protection of the rights of migrants have been reflected in the new strategic plans of the main United Nations agencies: the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Population Fund, UNICEF and UN Women. However, in our view, the United Nations and other international organizations and groups should play a more active role in creating and strengthening networks on migration and development, identifying best practices and building a knowledge and information platform for policy-making in the field of migration and development. I am confident that today’s Dialogue, which is being held under the auspices of the United Nations, will facilitate addressing those and many other issues related to international migration and development. Belarus stands ready to do everything it can to contribute to such work.

Let me begin by saying that the Government of Costa Rica wishes to express its condolences to the families of the victims of the regrettable events occurring off the coast of Italy. Costa Rica would like to emphasize the tremendous optimism that this Dialogue has triggered in my country. The position of Costa Rica with respect to this Dialogue is the outcome of a broad-based and cross- cutting process of reflection, emphasizing the inclusive and open approach that should be adopted when talking about migration. Governments should not decide or take action on migration without hearing the voices of migrants, their family members, their employers and those who study migration issues. Costa Rica is the prime destination for migrants in Central America. Immigration has been a major factor in achieving progress in key sectors such as trade, agriculture and infrastructure. Moreover, our culture has been enriched by the input of migrants. Therefore, we would like to invite participants in this Dialogue to recognize fully the contribution of migration in the construction of our respective nations. Moreover, my country is notable for its determined commitment to the recognition, promotion and observance of human rights. For many years, we have been guaranteeing migrants’ access to services for basic education, health, prenatal care, school meals and care, regardless of their immigration status. The outcome of those policies allows us today to corroborate the fact that migrants’ access to such services generates greater benefits for all. Costa Rica therefore reiterates its invitation so that during this event we take decisive steps forward in favour of the human rights of all migrants, by recognizing conclusively their right to have access to public services. In that regard, we call the Assembly’s attention to the realities that exist in countries such as Costa Rica in meeting those commitments. We are a middle-income country with a significant inflow of immigrants. Our desire to provide more and better services to them is limited by our scant financial resources. The international community should therefore allocate resources to guarantee the economic sustainability of such services. For Costa Rica that is an imperative in achieving sustainable development. If we want to see the dual strands of migration and development occurring simultaneously, then it is crucial that additional resources be devoted to that end. We cannot do it alone. In seeking increased funding for migration and development, Costa Rica would like to propose to the international community that we promote innovative mechanisms that make it possible to benefit migrants and destination countries alike, either by establishing joint funds or by facilitating access to loans intended to meet the needs of vulnerable migrants or other forms of cooperation funding. Those proposals are set out in the document entitled “Costa Rica’s initiative for the High-level Dialogue,” which will be distributed to participants in due course. In addition to allocating more resources, at the State level we must devise public policies intended to eliminate prejudices and stereotypes associated with migration. We must also commit to actively promoting genuine equality for all individuals, including migrants. To that end, we must look at the real situation and needs of the most vulnerable migrants, such as girls and boys; indigenous persons; the elderly; the disabled; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender and intersex persons; and temporary and domestic workers. We must develop robust measures to prevent, combat and punish violations of their rights, such as discrimination and xenophobia. We must also work together to prevent migrants from becoming victims of such crimes as trafficking in persons and illicit smuggling. Costa Rica urges participants to ensure that all authorities dealing with the challenges of immigration at the global and regional levels work in close coordination with all stakeholders in this area. We do not think that we need to establish new entitie; we must strengthen those that already exist. To that end, we must acknowledge the work that has been undertaken by the International Organization for Migration for more than 60 years and strengthen its interaction with United Nations agencies. We consider it important that efforts made within the Global Forum contribute to regional consultation processes. The work of the Global Migration Group should also be better coordinated with that of the United Nations country team. It is essential to ensure in all forums where migration is discussed that we take account of the voices of civil society and, of course, of migrants themselves. There are many challenges before us to ensure that migration contributes to development. However, we have made ​significant progress since the first High-level Dialogue. Costa Rica trusts that, on this occasion, we will make further progress, and we therefore reiterate our commitment to achieving concrete outcomes from this high-level event.

Let me start by expressing my heartfelt condolences to the many people affected by the tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea, where at least 130 African migrants have died and many more are missing after a boat carrying them to Europe sank in the early hours of this morning. More than 2,000 people have been reported dead after having tried to cross those waters in recent years. The rising global phenomenon of migrants and people fleeing conflict or persecution and perishing at sea underscores the importance of the topic at this High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development. But let me start at another place. During the mass migration from Europe in the mid-nineteenth century, more than a quarter of Norway’s population left poverty and hardship behind. Their aim was to get a better life abroad. Most Norwegian migrants went to this country — to the United States — where they participated in building a modern and prosperous nation. Today their descendants continue to work hard and contribute to American society. They are proud both of their homeland and their Norwegian roots. The Monopoly board game has a card that says “Received from your uncle in the United States, 1,500 Norwegian kroner”. That is just the same thing that happened a couple of decades back, and is happening in the world today. But then the money went to Norway, now it goes to other States. Since that mass exodus, Norway has developed into an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development country, with one of the highest per capita immigration rates. More than two thirds of Norway’s population growth is due to immigration. Today, Norway depends on immigrants for developing many areas of our industry and for the provision of services. In a world when more people are on the move than ever before, I believe that it is our common responsibility to maximize the positive impact of international migration on development. My country’s history of migration has shown that human mobility can be a key driver of human progress and development. Migration brings opportunities, but it also entails challenges and risks. Appropriate and coherent policies need to be implemented so that international migration can be a better tool for poverty reduction. Such policies should include the following. First, there should be measures to ensure safe, humane and orderly migration in accordance with human rights. We need a human rights-based approach. For example, we should scale up international, regional and national efforts to combat the exploitation of people when they are being trafficked. We know that women are forced into prostitution, that children are forced into slave labour and that women and children are particularly vulnerable. Only last week we spoke about disabled people, who we also know are vulnerable in such situations. We work together with international organizations, and we must ensure our regulations do not undermine the human rights of irregular migrants. Secondly, we need mechanisms for protecting migrants during times of environmental disasters and crises. Climate change will lead to more migration in future, both within and between nations. Therefore, Norway and Switzerland have initiated the Nansen Initiative, which gathers information on the protection needs of people displaced by natural disasters and climate change. The Nansen Initiative holds regional consultations in the most affected regions of the world. To date, we have learned that a stronger protection regime is needed for people falling into that category. Thirdly, we need measures to help integrate migrants into their new host communities, with particular attention to women and children. If we invest in migrants’ access to education and labour, we know that they will give back much more, both to their homelands and their host nations. We also know that no person should be discriminated against or excluded for having an immigrant background. In Norway, particular policy attention is paid to how unaccompanied minors and women migrants are received and integrated into society, and to the barriers women migrants encounter when trying to enter the labour market. In order for migration to be a positive component in our international development efforts, we will seek and strengthen our work to include migrant groups and make better use of their contextual knowledge and skills. We believe that that approach will further improve the quality of our development assistance and contribute to a more sustainable development of the affected country. In the case of Somalia, we see that many migrants from diaspora countries such as Norway and the United States are moving back to take part in the reconstruction of their war-afflicted countries. One example from Norway is the Speaker of the Somali Parliament, my countryman Mohamed Osman Jawari, who returned to Mogadishu after many years in the Norwegian workforce, where, among other things, he worked on conflict resolution — a skill I think he will need back in Somalia. I believe that people who belong to two cultures can be indispensable resources in either country, and that we should adopt policies to make it possible and easier for people to contribute in both countries, both alone and with their families. In conclusion, we shall do more to systematically include diasporas in development efforts. It is important that the potential positive role of international migration in reducing poverty and fostering human development be reflected in a new post-2015 development agenda. Targets and indicators for which countries can be held accountable should be included in that development agenda: it should be a total package.

Allow me to express my appreciation for the convening of this High-level Dialogue to address migration issues through the prism of development. Recent data show that there are approximately 232 million international migrants, a large proportion of whom are migrant workers. Almost one fifth of the population of the Kyrgyz Republic is engaged in labour abroad, both near and far. Seeking an effective system for the protection of their socioeconomic rights is a priority area of our activities. One of the most urgent problems in that area is the continued use of forced labour in destination countries. In that context, we note the need to strengthen the coordination of efforts to combat that phenomenon. We support the programme proposed by the Secretary- General in his report of 25 July (A/68/190), which points to the need to combat human trafficking and forced exploitation. We therefore believe that greater efforts must be focused on harmful foreign employment programmes with a view to the organization of legal labour migration between sending and receiving countries. Targeted programmes are also needed to increase training for migrants and improving related services. With regard to the influence of migration on development, we note the positive effect of migrant remittances on the socioeconomic development of countries, which are also a source of support for the welfare of many families. That must be taken into account in the formulation of immigration policies and critical efforts to that end. The Kyrgyz Republic pays a great deal of attention to improving its policies in that regard, including through the adoption of strategic documents. In early 2013, our President approved a national strategy on our country’s sustainable development for the period 2013 to 2017. That policy establishes that State policy on the labour market and migration should be streamlined and move towards civilized development and support for migrant workers. A new long-term national policy to regulate migration processes led to the drafting last year of a strategy to regulate external labour migration through the year 2020 and a plan of action for its implementation for the period 2013-2017. Last June, our President established an inter-agency group that is currently working to implement that plan. Today, the entire international community agrees that migration plays a very important role in achieving many of the development goals enshrined in the Millennium Declaration. We are certain that we need to work together to ensure that the issues we are discussing today are reflected in the post-2015 development agenda. In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation to the International Organization for Migration and the International Labour Organization for their support to Kyrgyzstan, as well as to express our full support for the work of the Global Forum on Migration and Development and the Global Migration Group.

Hungary is honoured to be present at this important event. Migration is a phenomenon that connects us all and compels us to work towards a better future. Migration has many faces, effects and consequences, which requires a multifaceted approach. We believe that both the positive and negative sides of migration can be addressed more effectively through continuous cooperation, dialogue and knowledge transfer among all actors involved. Hungary is firmly committed to mutual cooperation and partnership with States and other actors in the framework of various regional consultative processes. Our capital, Budapest, is proud to share its name with the longest-standing regional cooperation process in the region, the Budapest Process. This year, that platform celebrated its twentieth anniversary and, at the same time, has renewed itself and established the Silk Routes Partnership for Migration, which will focus on many aspects of migration, from legal to irregular migration, returns and the fight against trafficking, to international protection issues. Turkey, the Chair, and Hungary, the co-Chair, along with the Partnership’s 53 States and more than 10 international organizations, will work towards one main goal, namely, promoting dialogue and mutual cooperation in managing the migration flows taking place along the ancient Silk Routes. We are convinced that the Silk Routes platform and other similar regional processes have the capacity to successfully manage migration in their respective regions. We strongly support the work of all regional migration processes worldwide, as they are the most adequate and effective frameworks to understand, analyse and find the best solutions to manage a given region’s migration issues, with a view to enhancing the benefits of international migration for migrants and countries alike. As I mentioned, migration has many faces. One of the sad faces of migration becomes visible when human traffickers take their victims along the migration routes. Hungary, together with all European Union member States, believes that all States should pay particular attention to victims of trafficking. Legal background information and awareness-raising campaigns are of key importance to prevention. To tackle all the other faces of migration as a main aim in migration management, Hungary is working to better organize and improve the conditions for legal migration and mobility, together with preventing and counteracting irregular migration and facilitating the return and readmission of irregular migrants. Both sides need to be balanced: while Hungary welcomes legal migrants, measures against irregular migration are used, and those violating the rules have to return to their countries of origin. But what about vulnerable people who have no citizenship? My country is proud to be party to all United Nations conventions and regional conventions related to the phenomenon of statelessness and to provide protection to those in need. Hungary has established and successfully operates a self-standing statelessness determination procedure. Moreover, we also act in line with a specific quality-assurance handbook developed together with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Hungary urges all States present here to adhere to the United Nations statelessness conventions, as they are important pieces of the puzzle of the general, successful  — but, more important, humane and rights-driven  — management of migration.

On behalf of the delegation of the Republic of Korea, I would like to express my gratitude to the United Nations for having organized this meaningful Dialogue. It is my great pleasure to attend this Dialogue and share my views on the issues of migration and development. Allow me to start by talking about the current status of foreigners in Korea. The Korean Government was established in 1948. By 2007 the foreign population had risen to 1 million; this year it reached 1.6 million. In the 1960s and 1970s, Korea was a typical sending country. Recently, however, Korea has itself become a receiving country — a rare situation. Since 2000, there has been an increasing influx of foreigners. The Korean Government realized that we needed effective policy measures on immigration. In 2007, therefore, the Government enacted an act on the treatment of foreigners in Korea that allows the relevant Government agencies to introduce five-year basic plans on immigration policy. The second basic plan on immigration policy, which was introduced this year, is based on five policy goals, namely, openness, social integration, human rights, public safety and cooperation. The basic plan on immigration policy is also related to the subject of migration and development. As demonstrated in the International Organization for Migration World Migration Report 2013, the causes of migration are strongly related to levels of development. With that awareness, Korea continues to strive for policy coherence with regard to development for migration and development. In addition, as part of pursuing its basic plan, Korea is finding ways to link official development assistance with projects to nurture human resources in developing countries. Having adopted a new policy plan linking international migration and development, Korea will make every effort to achieve mutual prosperity through international cooperation. The Republic of Korea, together with other Member States, stands ready to make its contribution to the lofty goal of mutual prosperity.

At the outset, I would like to express my condolences to the families of the victims of the tragedy off the coast of Lampedusa. Brazil appreciates this opportunity to address the General Assembly during this High-level Dialogue aimed at identifying practical measures to improve cooperation on international migration. A tract of the history of Brazilian development can followed by tracing its constituent migration flows. Our social plurality and our political and cultural diversity are both results and engines of that development, which are tributaries of distinct flows of human migration. In the course of twentieth century, the rate and type of migration reflected the pulse of Brazilian social and political life. Although both migrants and Brazilians abandoned the country during  — and because of  — authoritarian regimes, the flourishing of democracy and socioeconomic development have served to reignite migratory trends, including of those who set out to seek refuge and humanitarian protection. Today we are experiencing a period of reflection in terms of the Brazilian State’s response to migration. In order to generate favourable conditions for development, migration policy must incorporate the concept of development anchored in three specific current challenges. The first challenge is the need to update national immigration laws, incorporate international treaties and agreements domestically and harmonize administrative provisions in order to establish a political and legal culture that is non-discriminatory, effectively protects human rights and prevents violations. The second challenge is linked to the establishment of means of coordination among migration institutions and between levels of Government — from federal to state to local — in a country of continental proportions. It also includes setting institutional competencies to integrate migrants in all spheres — economic, social, cultural and productive. This challenge should be seen as part of a commitment to addressing the issue of undocumented migrants in an inclusive and non-criminalizing approach and establishing specific child-protective and gender-protective measures, with due respect for sexual orientation and gender identity issues. The third challenge entails making a commitment to listen when it comes to the participation and supervision of the key social processes involved in developing and implementing policies and programmes aimed at the migrant groups and populations living in Brazil — a natural extension of Brazil’s perspective concerning the development of public policy on the basis of transparency, openness and social collaboration. That also means turning on its head the paradigm whereby migration management is a way to effect population control, and instead empowering migrants through their own voices, autonomy and participation as a citizens. Those three points correspond to our expectations of the international debate on migration, both globally and regionally. We must therefore broaden and improve the network of treaties, norms and international standards with regard to the treatment of human migrantion, including undocumented migrants. There is also a need to expand the debate among institutions and to strengthen the strategic role of all international organizations dealing with this issue. Finally, it is urgent that we provide and improve upon regional initiatives that are designed to allow for the direct participation of organizations that represent migrant groups. In our view, the human rights of migrants and the fulfilment of conditions for their full social integration are crucial to the promotion of national policies and regional cooperation strategies, as well as to involvement in new international mechanisms. The human rights of migrants are a precondition for making global development possible. In that regard, the Brazilian delegation reiterates its commitment to strive to incorporate the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, which is still pending. We support the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. We support the initiative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees aimed at convening the “Cartagena+30” conference. We also prioritize initiatives based on coordination among countries aimed at improving the protection and promotion of the rights of migrants against all forms of discrimination, racism and xenophobia. With regard to promoting regional integration, my country sponsored the recent successful efforts to expand residency and mobility rights for migrants from the countries of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) and associated States. That was realized through the entry into force, in 2009, of the residency agreement concerning nationals from MERCOSUR States parties, including its ongoing improvement with a view towards increasingly flexible and assisted migration flows. This year, Brazil has also participated in projects to improve protective measures in cases of forced displacement, by expanding refugee protection, integration and resettlement mechanisms. With Brazil’s active participation, MERCOSUR has established the group’s first forum of national committees on refugees, in an effort to set standards and share best practices in the region. Moreover, we developed our second national plan against trafficking in persons. During the same period, important steps were taken so that the International Organization for Migration could officially establish an office in Brazil as an important interlocutor on current and future efforts. We are aware of our share of responsibility and solidarity in relation to new migration flows, in particular with regard to South-South migration and migration caused by environmental changes. Lastly, we would like to highlight the launch of a national process of social listening and public consultation. The first national conference on migration and refugees, to be held in 2014, will be an opportunity to promote social dialogue and invite migrants residing in Brazil to participate in and contribute to the elaboration of a public policy approach to migration, one that has a solid human rights-based framework. Those are the guidelines by which Brazil is willing to work diligently and steadily, together with all Member States and all related international organizations, in a coordinated way, to make the best use of the potential benefits and reciprocal links between migration and development, with due attention to social justice and participation. Together, we will thereby increasingly forge a concept of global citizenship.

I should first like to express the solidarity and condolences of the Republic of Paraguay in connection with the tragedy that occurred off the Italian island of Lampedusa. It is an honour to represent Paraguay at his High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development, which seeks to consider the issue of international migration with a view to establishing human dignity-based channels of cooperation. The human rights of migrants merit the fullest respect, regardless of immigration status. Migrants and their families should be protected from acts of xenophobia and discrimination. Accordingly, receiving countries should promote policies that aim at achieving integration, coexistence, tolerance and social inclusion for immigrant groups, with a view to maximizing the positive impact in host societies. Paraguay views migrants as genuine agents of development. Our own history has shown that the men and women born in other countries who chose our country as their homeland brought with them technical and specialist knowledge that had a positive impact not only in achieving economic progress but also progress on other equally important fronts, such as the social, cultural and scientific dimensions. That is why we support migrants’ access to the labour markets of host countries. We also urge the strengthening of the international legal framework and its established mechanisms to guarantee the effective protection of the rights of those workers and their families. And we promote the adoption of policies to ensure respect for, and the recognition of, the need to establish fair and decent working and social security conditions for migrants. Almost half of the migrants today are women. The emigration of mothers and wives has had a strong impact on families and societies in countries of origin. In host countries, women are doubly the victims of discrimination — as women and as migrant workers. Therefore, States should protect their rights and those of other groups in vulnerable situations, such as unaccompanied minors who, for various reasons, find themselves outside their own countries. Paraguay renews its commitment to the implementation of international obligations adopted with a view to preventing, prosecuting and punishing trafficking in persons and the unlawful smuggling of migrants. We are in the process of addressing, righting and restoring the rights of victims of such crimes. We therefore believe that it is pertinent to include as a central theme of the multilateral dynamics on matters relating to migration the question of unlawful practices, with a view to encouraging the cooperation needed to fight such practices. Similarly, we urge compliance with the provisions of the Palermo Protocol. Thus far, 47 States, including Paraguay, have ratified the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. We appeal for additional States to do the same, thereby joining the efforts to achieve the fullest protection of the rights of all human beings, regardless of whether they are in their own country or outside it. In Paraguay, we have a migration policy that is based on respect for human rights. In that context, periodic rounds of migration-status regularization take place in compliance with commitments emanating from national, regional, bilateral and unilateral instruments, such as the migration amnesty law in force in my country. In addition, Paraguay offers assistance to our own nationals who wish to return home, providing the necessary conditions to ensure their reinsertion in terms of education, jobs and social matters. We also maintain close links with Paraguayan communities abroad, including victims of the trafficking in persons, for whom we have various programmes and social funds covered by our national budget. The nexus between migration and development goes beyond the merely economic perspective. We need to adopt a holistic approach for dealing with that link that incorporates the human, social, cultural and environmental dimensions, with priority attention being given to the relationship between migration and development. That link, contrary to popular belief, is not confined to remittances or private flows of funds, which, it should be emphasized, should not be considered to be official development assistance. Moreover, my country is of the view that the Global Forum on Migration and Development requires an integral, methodological and structural review that raises the profile of the full participation and contribution of all of our countries. Also, we believe that the global debate on human mobility calls for a holistic approach that moves towards the formulation of binding standards-setting instruments, policies and institutional environments that reflect a genuine commitment by the international community to the effective implementation of the measures adopted. The discussion should be centred in the United Nations, since it is the natural forum, and therefore the appropriate context, for the participation on equal footing of all of States. Finally, Paraguay offers and pledges its fullest support to carrying forward a broad-based political debate within the United Nations on all dimensions of international migration, leading to the adoption of a binding multilateral instrument.

First of all, Ecuador echoes the condolences expressed in connection with the recent tragedy off the coast of Lampedusa. Ecuador is a country where there exist the four characteristics of international migration. We are a country of emigration and a country of immigration, and many of those migrants are refugees. We are a country of transit and of return. On the basis of our 2008 Constitution, Ecuador defends the right of whether to migrate or not, facilitates the free movement of human beings, does not consider any human being to be “illegal” and advocates the principle of universal citizenship. Ecuador firmly believes that the only way of resolving our problems and differences in the various types of migration policies is through frank, sincere and open dialogue that allows us to improve the situation and quality of life of the entire migrant population, especially those from the South to the North. While in developed countries there is increased focus on security issues with respect to migration, under the apparently neutral mantra of migration management that emphasizes the effects of migration, the subject is de-politicized, with asymmetries being ignored and international obligations left out. In contrast, in the South, our migration policy approach is based on respect for, and the centrality of, human rights and sociocultural, economic and political rights, on the basis of migratory governance spaces, with an emphasis on the causes of migrations that are closely linked to the unequal development between the South and the North. I would stress that for Ecuador dialogue is the path to peace that can resolve all differences wherever there is political will. We have all gathered here at the General Assembly to think about the post-2015 migration and development agenda. We believe that the equation is missing a third element — rights. There can be no development without rights. That is why, for Ecuador, an essential step in our future agenda and dialogue should be based on a commitment by the main host countries of our migrants to sign the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Almost 25 years have elapsed since the opening for signature of the Convention, which to date has been signed and/or ratified mainly by the countries of the South of the planet. In various summits, we have stressed the fact that it is essential to ensure the effective enjoyment and protection of the rights of all migrants. But Ecuador also considers it absolutely essential to exchange ideas and opinions  — for that is how we can understand the technical and political space  — on that already classic equation of migration and development and ask ourselves who benefits from migration and why it occurs. The dominant discourse ignores the structural causes of migration. Sometimes we do not want to remember that most migrants  — asylum-seekers, refugees and displaced persons  — come from countries devastated by violence, national disaster or conflict, whose intrinsic cause can be located in deepening underdevelopment and the perverse effects of capitalism. The dominant view on migration and development emphasizes only one side of the problem. It is stated that migrants contribute by their remittances to raising the standard of living in many parts of the world, while in the countries of destination they exert pressure on the labour markets, take jobs from locals and become burdens on the State through their demand for social and other public services. Meanwhile, the role of migrants in the dynamic of creating capital in the country of destination is ignored. In our view, which is supported by academic studies, the main contribution of migrants is found to be in the countries of destination, not in the countries of origin. In conclusion, therefore, Ecuador reiterates that the issue of migration must be dealt with in a cross-cutting way and incorporated in the United Nations system in a comprehensive and functional manner. The approach to migration policies has to be elaborated through the participation of civil society and migrants, leading to public policies that allow a dignified life and decent jobs for migrants and promote transnational citizenship. We criticize the hardening of migration policies not only because it flouts the fundament rights of migrants but also because it encourages various types of irregular migration, trafficking in persons and other unlawful practices. We urge the main countries of destination to formulate permanent regularization programmes. This problem cannot be solved by fences, walls or barriers that jeopardize the lives of millions of human beings  — women, men, children and young people  — from the poorest corners of the world. The problem is structural in nature and demands a new international economic order that envisages the democratization of the international system and reduces social inequalities and economic asymmetries between countries. If we all work hand in hand and have the political will for it, a new world is possible.

Austria would like to be begin by saying that we align ourelves with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union and its member States. I would also like to stress that this High-level Dialogue is taking place at an important moment in time. With 230 million international migrants, migration is one of the global megatrends of our time. At the same time, discussions on the post-2015 development agenda have triggered a new and very timely interest in the interlinkage of migration and development, particularly in how migration can be harnessed to achieve better development. That relationship is multifaceted and complex, and more thorough analysis is required to obtain a clearer picture of the way migration and development can influence each other. We hope that this Dialogue will provide an impetus for substantial discussions, effective follow-up meetings and, finally, concrete results. Austria would particularly like to thank the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for its contribution to the High-level Dialogue. Ever since the first High-level Dialogue meeting, in 2006, IOM membership has consistently grown, which in itself is evidence of its success. With its wealth of experience, expertise and knowledge, the IOM, as the world’s leading organization in the field of migration, is uniquely placed to enrich this debate in the years to come. We would therefore like to encourage all the relevant United Nations organizations, as well as other organizations and stakeholders in the field of migration, to cooperate. Enhancing cooperation, particularly by sharing experiences and best practices, is crucial to developing a more coherent global approach to migration and development. In my country’s view, it is interesting that the latest World Migration Report 2013: Migrant Well-Being and Development, rather than focusing on economic indicators for development, very much stresses the individual migrants as the main focus of the debate and of analysis, as well as the question of how far various factors can influence migrants’ well-being, which is exactly what this debate should be all about. Austria would also like to acknowledge the important role that the Global Forum on Migration and Development has played since its inception as a platform for dialogue and for the exchange of good practices among stakeholders. I would now like to say a few words about our priorities, one of which is fighting abuse. However, on behalf of my country, I would first like to add my voice to the condolences that have been expressed by other speakers in connection with the recent tragedy in the Mediterranean — and not only for that one tragedy, because there has been a long series of such tragedies, and most of them, unfortunately, are in one way or another a consequence of abuse. Another phenomenon of abuse that is becoming more and more frequent and complex is trafficking in persons. We welcome the fact that there is a special round table dedicated to the topic. Austria is affected by human trafficking as a country of both transit and destination, and it is obvious to us that no country by itself can counter this complex phenomenon. We therefore stress the need for multilateral cooperation in the fight against human trafficking. Among other things, Austria has ratified all the relevant international legal instruments for combating human trafficking. In that context, the human rights perspective is very important. Our policy is therefore guided by a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses measures for prevention, the protection of victims and prosecution. We also believe it is important to cooperate with non-governmental organizations. Austria has consistently supported the Human Rights Council in this area and has been a sponsor of all the relevant resolutions on fighting human trafficking. However, if we do not tackle its underlying causes, such as poverty, the lack of the rule of law, corruption and so forth, all efforts will remain a fight against symptoms. The prevention of human trafficking by fighting poverty and increasing human security is therefore an area of focus for us in projects with partner countries of the Austrian Development Cooperation, which carry out various projects in the field. Those include, for instance, a programme on return and integration in Moldova, one that enables female migrants to choose safe routes to labour migration in Nepal, and other similar projects. I would also like to say a few words about the public perception of migration. In Vienna, in February, Austria hosted the fifth Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. The Forum focused on how responsible leadership could make a difference in shaping a new narrative for migration, integration and mobility in the global economy. The conclusions reached highlighted the importance of enhancing education, training and data collection. Addressing myths and misconceptions about migration is an important task. Another finding was that social inclusion and integration were not always easy; on the contrary, they are very difficult to achieve. For that reason, civil society’s participation in policy processes is critical. In recent years we have observed a considerable change in the way we think about the development and migration nexus. There has been a shift from a problem-oriented approach to greater recognition of the contribution of migration to poverty reduction and development. We are aware that remittances constitute a significant proportion of gross domestic product in many countries and, according to the World Bank, amounted to more than $500 billion in 2012. Knowing how important it is, the Austrian Ministry of Finance therefore supports the World Bank’s remittances programme by financing studies and disseminating information. Those are some of the concrete projects that we consider necessary in order to harness migration for development. Our hope is that this forum, like those before it, will lead to many more concrete projects, all of which will help to enhance the nexus of migration and development.

Australia would also like to express its condolences to the families and compatriots of those lost at sea en route to Lampedusa today. That is a scenario we know too well, with hundreds of lives lost in recent years through dangerous maritime ventures to Australia. Australia welcomes the opportunity to be here today at the second High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development. We are a nation of migrants. Since 1945, more than 7.2 million people have migrated to Australia, and nearly half of all Australians were either born overseas or have one or both parents born overseas. The fact that approximately 60 per cent of current population growth stems from net overseas migration is indicative of the significant role that migration plays in shaping Australia. While ours is just one story, we recognize that the features of global movement are increasingly complex in terms of direction, motivation and duration, and that requires thoughtful policy responses. The World Migration Report 2013: Migrant Well-Being and Development of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) refers to four migration pathways — between north and south in both directions, north to north and the growing trend of south- south movement. The challenges and opportunities encompass complex people movements, with drivers ranging from economic needs to crises, environmental disasters, exploitation, criminality, persecution and the search for a better life. For our part, Australia views migration as a critical nation-building tool. We believe in robust migration policies founded on a firm evidence base. Our migration programmes, both permanent and temporary, have been developed to create targeted, orderly and safe migration paths — for migrants and their families — that facilitate triple wins: for migrants, for Australia and for countries of origin. Opportunities to work in Australia can support the development of new skills and provide access to higher incomes. To optimize those benefits, Australia has actively engaged in the Group of 20 discussions to reduce the costs of remittances. We recognize that there is more work to be done, and we are committed to that cause. We know that the integration of migrants is the key to a successful migration outcome. To deliver that, Australia has benefited from partnerships with highly effective civil society organizations. Our programmes ensure that migrants are best prepared for their new environments, that migrants’ skills and jobs are well matched and that communities are ready with support and services. There are other key partnerships and cooperation efforts that enable us to manage migration well. I must highlight the importance of our partnership with the IOM. As the only international organization with a mandate centred on migration, the IOM has a unique voice and a vital international role. Our partnership has been a strong one for many decades. We welcome its breadth of experience in operations and depth of commitment to treating migrants with respect and dignity. A key outcome of the first High-level Dialogue was the establishment of the Global Forum on Migration and Development, which gave States a mechanism to foster international dialogue. Australia is fully committed to the Global Forum and looks forward to it taking forward the key preoccupations arising from this second High-level Dialogue. We are encouraged by the State-led initiative on migrants in crises, which builds on the experience of the Libyan crisis in 2011, and the very practical responses taken at that time. We hear the call for action by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for International Migration, Mr. Peter Sutherland, and stand ready to engage as the initiative progresses. We believe that approaches premised upon regional cooperation provide enduring solutions to the complex challenges of mixed migration flows and the trafficking and smuggling of migrants. That includes strategies to support countries of first asylum and measures that stabilize secondary movement. Australia places great emphasis on the work of the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime, which we co-chair with Indonesia and which brings together countries of origin, transit and destination. Both the IOM and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees are valuable partners in the work of the Bali Process regional support office, which was established in Bangkok. To strengthen the protection of vulnerable migrants and to address the unfortunate criminal elements that exist, we urge greater efforts in support and implementation of the Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Protocols to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. We need to make migration work for all countries, but we also need to make migration work for all migrants, the communities that receive them and their communities back home. We believe that safe, regular and enabling migration is the best way for States to achieve this. Strong partnerships at all levels will help us deliver that goal.

It is a profound honour to take the floor at this timely event highlighting the importance and interconnectedness of migration and sustainable development. Estonia fully aligns itself with the statement delivered by the observer of the European Union, and I would like to make some additional remarks. Estonia acknowledges the important contribution of migration in realizing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Human mobility is a key factor for sustainable development and should be adequately considered in the elaboration of the post-2015 agenda. Although the incentives for people to leave their homes can include a wide range of reasons with both positive and negative shades, we can all agree that migration has been an integral part of human societies throughout history. In the era of globalization, we can expect that human mobility will only intensify. Keeping in mind the commitment to a more coherent, comprehensive and better-coordinated approach to migration and development, we should have two general objectives for our debate: first, reconciling ourselves with migration processes and identifying and encouraging the positive implications of migration, such as its contribution to economic development, innovation, trade and investment; and, secondly, overcoming the negative aspects of involuntary migration by tackling the root causes of forced migration in countries of origin. It is the responsibility of each State to protect human rights and provide services to every person within their borders, especially the most vulnerable persons, such as women and children. Each State should focus on good governance. Supporting the rule of law, strengthening independent judicial mechanisms, ending impunity and ensuring accountability and responsive Government are some measures to take on the path to ensuring proper sustainable development for all. The international community can provide assistance in building up the capacities and resilience of countries struggling with development challenges or being affected by adverse climate features. National ownership, a determination to solve problems, good- governance practices and the rule of law are essential in order to make the most of international assistance. Let me also underline that, due to global population dynamics and the nature of globalized economies, labour mobility is both inevitable and welcomed. We must respect and promote international labour standards as appropriate and respect the rights of migrant workers. We must make a stronger effort to tackle discrimination against migrants and to improve public perceptions of migrants and migration. The challenges related to the integration and reintegration of migrants, including the adaptation of national labour markets and systems for health care, education and social security to increasingly diverse and interconnected societies, must be addressed. It should be acknowledged that refugees and other persons in need of protection can present significant challenges for some host countries and communities. It should also be recognized that, through empowerment, migrants can make important contributions to host communities and local and national economies. A more mobile labour force implies the increasing importance of remittances as a significant contribution to private financing for development in migrants’ home countries. Therefore, the conditions for cheaper, faster and safer transfers of remittances in both source and recipient countries should be promoted. Cooperation with innovative private-sector companies, such as TransferWise, which was set up by young Estonian information and communication technology entrepreneurs, is one way to tackle those challenges. With the Assembly’s permission, I would now like to draw attention to the most vulnerable migrants, namely, refugees and other persons in need of protection. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more people in the world have been forced to flee from their homes this year than any other year in nearly two decades. That includes the more than 1.5 million people who have left Syria to escape the humanitarian crisis there. The increasing flow of refugees from Syria is substantially affecting the entire region and beyond, with a substantial impact on host communities, economies, infrastructure, environment and security. It is important that the international community make coordinated efforts to assist and support migrants stranded in vulnerable situations. The protection needs of refugees and other displaced persons should be addressed as close as possible to their countries of origin. We need to devise development initiatives that target refugee communities as well as host countries and host communities. I can confirm that Estonia is committed to providing financial and expert support to meet the pressing needs of the most vulnerable. Finally, I wish to remind us all that the main challenge of the post-2015 negotiations will be to formulate and reach global agreement on a concrete and measurable set of development goals that keep the three dimensions of sustainability at its core and maintain a sharp focus on poverty eradication. The targets should leave no one behind and be applicable and achievable in every country. Both the positive and negative aspects of migration must be taken into account while discussing the sustainable development goals. In order to allow us to benefit from the positive aspects of migration and minimize the negative aspects, it must be ensured that migration is well managed through evidence-based policies and decision-making.

As the Chair of the Budapest Process since 2006, Turkey has been closely involved in the global debate and international cooperation in the area of migration management, from a security and control-oriented approach to a more comprehensive, holistic concept of migration governance. Turkey is willing to further engage in the area of migration governance, in line with the dynamic role it is expected to play in future efforts to manage migration in the Eurasia region. Turkey has decided to take on the challenging task of chairing the Global Forum on Migration and Development in 2015, not only because of its increasing significance with respect to migration but also because of our increasing commitment to development issues. Turkey has vast experience to share in the area of migration and development. We are in the process of determining the game plan for our chairmanship. Naturally, there is still much to do. We will assume the priorities of previous Chairs, whose work we appreciate wholeheartedly. On top of their work, we will add our own contribution. In that context, I can announce that additional points of concentration will be on promoting mobility; decreasing obstacles such as visas and similar barriers; ensuring the human rights of migrants and cooperation in combating illegal migration; abolishing notions of racism, discrimination and xenophobia; creating international mechanisms to ensure transfers of social security benefits, utilizing the Turkish experience with small and medium enterprises — which is considered one of the best means of development  — as well as Turkey’s successful story of transformation from a source country to one of destination. Recognition is the fundamental need of all migrants. Their recognition by the countries in which they are migrants would, first and foremost, ensure their access to basic services such as health, education and social security. It would also enable them to better integrate and contribute to both the host communities and their own. Given the fact that a holistic approach is critical in migration management, maintaining a balance between security and human rights will become a crucial aspect of Turkey’s future migration policy, which should also emphasize the needs and rights of migrants. We believe that all aspects of migration at the national, regional and global levels are interlinked and must not be addressed in isolation. For example, rather than considering the issue of irregular migration from a limited security perspective, we believe that development policies should focus on the root causes influencing persons towards irregular migration, so as to help find durable solutions for both sending and receiving countries. Irregular migration can be best avoided by providing mechanisms for legal migration in addition to conventional mechanisms to combat migrant trafficking. The fifth ministerial conference of the Budapest Process, held in Istanbul on 19 April, brought together 28 ministers and deputy ministers, 230 delegates from 52 participating and observer countries, and the relevant regional and international organizations. The meeting adopted the Istanbul ministerial declaration on a Silk Routes Partnership for Migration, which addresses migration and development as a specific priority area, with its goal of strengthening the positive impact of migration on development in both countries of origin and of destination. The declaration is a strong indicator of the link between the future work of the Budapest Process and the goals and aim of the Global Forum on Migration and Development. The Istanbul declaration has already been referred to as one of the most balanced and far-reaching documents in the field of migration, adopted by a wide range of countries. A wide range of activities are foreseen in the declaration, such as mainstreaming migration into development planning and taking development issues into account when elaborating migration policies; promoting sustainable, comprehensive, balanced and efficient policies on migration and development; ensuring a multi-actor approach that includes the relevant development stakeholders, including from the public and private sectors, to engage in dialogue and concrete cooperation; facilitating circular migration and active engagement in development; engaging with diasporas to make better use of their contributions; improving the use of monetary and social remittances for the benefit of the sustainable economic and social development of the countries of origin; fostering sustainable reintegration; counteracting the possible negative effects of emigration on countries of origin; addressing the gap between emergency relief, humanitarian assistance and sustainable development; exploring and addressing development-related causes of migration; and developing and strengthening small and medium-sized entrepreneurship by migrants. The operational cooperation foreseen in the declaration covers six priority areas — migration and mobility, integration, migration and development, irregular migration, trafficking in persons and international protection — that are all relevant to the High-level Dialogue on Migration and Development.

First, the United Kingdom would like to echo the sentiments expressed by the observer of the European Commission and other speakers in connection with the tragic events of this morning in Lampedusa. I take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to working constructively with our global partners. Migration and development can be addressed properly only through international cooperation. The United Kingdom believes that requires a truly global approach. Less than half of migration is now from developing to developed countries. Our discussions therefore need a broader agenda that more fully reflects that fact. A renewal of our agenda is also timely given the fact that the post-2015 development agenda is taking place at this moment. The High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on that framework, co-chaired by United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron, noted the continuing significant of international cooperation and international migration. What is less clear is how we should take account of migration in the future development agenda. In our view, the case has not yet been made out to include a post-2015 goal on migration, given the risk of diluting the focus on extreme poverty. For that reason, we believe that this High-level Dialogue should be measured and realistic in its recommendations in that area. The United Kingdom also believes that any enhanced focus on migration and development must take account of aid-effectiveness principles. Ultimately, we believe our aim should not be about enhancing the links between migration and development per se, but about enhancing effective action to deliver on partner countries’ development priorities. If we wish to enhance the links between migration and development, fair, effective and transparent national systems are also an essential element. In the United Kingdom, our system manages labour migration from outside the European Union in a way that meets labour market needs, but that also, importantly, works for migrants themselves. It is what we describe as a win-win situation. We are able to meet skills shortages while migrants can see for themselves what opportunities exist to work in the United Kingdom — and face the same qualifying criteria irrespective of their nationality. Well-managed migration, including, importantly, returns and reintegration, is also integral to ensuring the benefits of migration for all. On that basis, the United Kingdom supports this High-level Dialogue’s attention to orderly, regular and safe migration, and its focus on human trafficking. On the issue of human trafficking, we are committed to playing a full part in the fight against it. We regard it as an issue that deserves greater political and practical priority. It is, in essence, modern slavery. That is why we work closely with global partners to investigate and prosecute cases both at home and abroad. It is also the reason why the Government of the United Kingdom is taking a long, hard look at its own legislation, to see whether there are changes that should be made — although I should say that the legislation currently in place conforms fully with the Protocols to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. It is also important that we support the victims of trafficking, who are among the most vulnerable migrants. Our commitment in that regard is evident — for example, in the United Kingdom we have supported anti-trafficking projects for girls and women in South Asia, focused on female migrants going to the Middle East to work in the domestic-worker and garment-manufacturing sectors. We therefore hope that this High-level Dialogue will encourage all States Members of the United Nations to make further efforts to combat trafficking, identify its victims and, where possible, help them return to a safe and secure life in their country of origin. In concluding, I would once again like to welcome this High-level Dialogue as an opportunity to develop international cooperation that reflects the nature of global migration. In focusing on the links between migration and development, we should be mindful of the need for transparency and fairness within national and international approaches. And, while seizing the opportunity to enhance the benefits of migration by managing it properly, we should also make use of this opportunity to address its negative aspects, such as human trafficking, and ensure that migration policies create a win-win situation for all of us.

The reason we are here today is because we are all aware of the importance of migration for development. Since our last Dialogue, in 2006, regional and international mobility has continued to grow. That constitutes both a challenge and an opportunity for countries of origin, transit and destination. Where the opportunities are concerned, migration has contributed to the achievement of many of the Millennium Development Goals. According to the World Bank, migrant remittances for this year alone total $414 billion, three times as much as total official development assistance. Migrant remittances can be directed to productive investment and create jobs. They also serve the essential function of social protection. Migrants bring with them not simply money and work but also ideas, standards and new practices that transform both their countries of destination and their countries of origin. Their wealth, ultimately, is human wealth. They are people, and that is worth far more than all the rest. Where the challenges are concerned, the growth of South-South migration is a major development issue for countries that need to better mobilize their domestic resources for their own development. Migration  — between North and South, South and South, North and North  — makes us all countries of immigration and emigration. Currently, for example, there are 1.6 million French people living outside France who in a sense are ambassadors for our values. Aware of the challenges of this new type of migration, France has seriously revised its migration and development policy. Its guiding principle is one of building partnerships for development with every diaspora organization, the authorities in partner countries, the private sector and civil society. In a way, we are building a kind of global civil society. There are four complementary areas within our activities in support of migrants’ potential for solidarity, particularly through assisting diaspora associations and carrying out their projects; supporting migrants’ investment capacity by co-financing development projects; strengthening partnership countries’ capacity to integrate mobility and migration into their national and local development strategies; and, finally, contributing to international dialogues and the creation of knowledge, all focused on the fact that at some point we must consider how to better manage our migration systems. In very specific and functional terms, France, for example, through its development agency, has helped the Kingdom of Morocco to define its public policy on supporting productive investment for the diaspora. Those investments make up only about 20 per cent of total remittances, but they have a very strong potential impact on development because they respond to the State’s essential concern, which is increasing and improving financial accessibility and creating jobs. We have also concluded an agreement with Senegal for the implementation a project to co-finance local Government projects with migrants in order to mobilize the diaspora and contribute to the digital integration of outlying regions. Since 2009, 92 infrastructure projects have been financed in that way at a level of €10 million, and 262 businesses created with an investment of €3 million. Through that concrete experience, France hopes that the role of migrants in developing their countries of origin can be fully recognized within the framework of the sustainable development goals and within the post-2015 programme and architecture we hope to build. How can that be done? Certainly not by discussing specific goals, but through cross- cutting inclusion of the issue of migration in the post- 2015 agenda as a whole. That could take the form of establishing specific targets linked to migration that would apply to each major thematic goal of the forthcoming agenda: health, education, youth and employment. The recognition of migrants and migration in the post-2015 agenda should also include a renewed partnership on migration issues. We are in favour of pursuing international cooperation within the Group of Eight and the Group of 20 in order to increase and facilitate financial flows of migrants to developing countries, and to reduce the associated costs of those transactions, which ties in with what I mentioned just now about how important it is to include better governance and management of that migration on our international agenda. Lastly, France and the other members of the European Union are convinced that the protection of the fundamental rights of migrants, regardless of their status, must remain a cross-cutting priority in all policies. Trafficking in human beings is a flagrant violation of human rights and must be robustly combated, in accordance with current international standards. The situation of migrants caught in certain crisis situations is also a matter of concern. We therefore welcome the exemplary action by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to assist such migrants in the recent crises in Libya, Somalia, Mali and Syria. We assure the IOM of our resolute support.

At the outset, let me express my delegation’s condolences to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives this morning off the southern coast of Italy. My delegation associates itself with the statement made by the representative of Fiji on behalf of the Group of 77 and China (see A/68/PV.25). Historically, Iran, an ancient civilization, was at the heart of the famous Silk Road connecting the West and the East by linking traders, merchants, pilgrims, monks, soldiers, nomads and urban dwellers from the Far East to the far West during various periods of time. Its geopolitical position provided Iran a unique opportunity to contribute to international migration as the bridge between East and West. Today, with 232 million international migrants in the world, migration has increased in volume, scope, complexity and impact since the adoption in 1994 of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development. It is an intrinsic feature of a globalizing world in which economic, social, demographic, political and environmental factors all should be considered in assessing the effects of international migration on sustainable development and in identifying relevant priorities in view of the preparation of the post-2015 development framework. At the national level, the Islamic Republic of Iran has established the High Council of Iranians Abroad in the presidential office. It offers services to all Iranian migrants, including those who are highly educated and skilled and thus play an important role in their host communities all over the world. We urge destination States to avoid imposing any limitations on contacts between migrants and their States of origin. That is especially important with regard to migrants who are highly educated and skilled. Continuing contact between them and their States of origin could contribute to the transfer of knowledge and skills and accelerate the development of developing countries. The Islamic Republic of Iran has been an active member of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for more than a decade. We have had joint initiatives with the IOM on disseminating knowledge of international migration law in Tehran since 2007. We have jointly established and run with IOM an important programme on international migration and development, funded by the Government of Japan, called Return and Reintegration of Qualified and Skilled Afghan Nationals from the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Islamic Republic of Iran shares with many countries the view that highly skilled and educated international migrants can play an important role in the development of their countries of origin; hence, their relations, communications, transactions, access and transportation to the country of origin should not in any way be restricted by the destination countries. Nor should they face any discrimination at all in their access to academic education and to scientific and financial resources. The Islamic Republic of Iran remains cooperative with all States and with the United Nations system and other relevant organizations, especially through the offices of the United Nations Population Fund and IOM in Tehran, to meet the challenges of migration, as well as making migration an opportunity for creating a better world for all in the future.

Canada extends its appreciation to the Office of the President. I would like to thank the Secretary-General for convening this second High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development. Much has happened in our global community since the High-level Dialogue in 2006. The world is increasingly characterized by globalization not only of the economy but also in terms of the mobility of people at an unprecedented pace, magnitude and complexity, with impacts in many areas, including development. We are virtually all countries of origin, transit and destination for international migrants. As members of the international community, we increasingly share not only our successes but also our challenges in national, regional and international efforts to harness the benefits of migration for States and migrants alike. Canada shares the view that migration is a process to be managed, not a problem to be solved. Allow me to highlight three overarching issues that are of interest to Canada in international migration and its links to development. First is the important role we have as individual countries and as an international community to promote safe, orderly and managed migration. Second is the importance of expanding our ability to work individually and collectively at all levels and to maximize the development impacts and other benefits of migration while addressing key challenges. Third is the importance of better leveraging existing global and regional forums and partnerships to make meaningful progress towards those ends. Drawing on our experience with immigration, Canada has long advocated safe, legal and orderly migration as the most effective way to harness the benefits of migration while addressing its challenges. To be effective in meeting the needs and expectations of migrants and societies alike, migration needs to be managed. (spoke in French) This High-level Dialogue is an opportunity to take stock of our efforts in the field of international migration and its links with development; to move forward on concrete issues that support development and promote, protect and respect the human rights of migrants; and to enhance their well-being and ability to contribute to their host and home countries. (spoke in English) Canada is interested in exploring further, with partners, innovative approaches that complement and strengthen the efforts of Governments to ensure safe and orderly labour migration and the protection of the human and labour rights of migrants, including through ethical recruitment practices. The issue of remittances is an important one for Canada. We will continue to work with the Group of 20 (G-20) to consider innovative, results-based mechanisms to further reduce the cost of transferring remittances to developing countries. Canada will continue to support the sharing of best practices and efforts in capacity-building at various levels in migration management, immigrant integration and the protection of the human rights of migrants. We will also support a deepened effort for greater data and evidence on the links between international migration and development. To be successful in the global dialogue, it is important that we continue to engage interested stakeholders at all levels, to focus on concrete issues of mutual interest that lend themselves to practical partnerships, and to improve implementation and coordination of existing frameworks and mechanisms to deliver real outcomes. Canada is pleased with the pragmatic approach that the International Organization for Migration and relevant United Nations bodies have been taking to address a number of these issues, and in that regard we welcome the strong support of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for International Migration, whose role has been important for the progress we have made since 2006. We value the contribution of civil society and the private sector to this practical dialogue, and we need to ensure that each of those voices is given the opportunity to develop and to be heard. Canada is pleased to continue to engage actively in a number of regional consultative processes, as well as in the Global Forum on Migration and Development, which is an important forum to exchange practices, promote collaboration on practical issues and, ultimately, build trust and partnerships. (spoke in French) Canada’s ultimate goal is to reach, in the framework of this High-level Dialogue, an exchange that builds on our shared accomplishments and on the work of many important actors in international migration, especially since the earlier High-level Dialogue. We are confident that this Dialogue will provide a platform to guide us in moving forward constructively on concrete issues of shared interest.

I would like to inform the Assembly of the measures that the Republic of Kazakhstan has undertaken to regulate migration processes, including labour migration issues. Today questions of population migration, specifically labour migration, are becoming more pressing for countries in the Central Asian region, including the Republic of Kazakhstan. Russia and Kazakhstan host the largest numbers of migrants in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). In the Central Asian States, more than 90 per cent of migration is interregional in nature and occurs among the former Soviet republics. The Republic of Kazakhstan is developing modern and necessary procedures to regulate those processes within the country in order to ensure that the rights and interests of foreign migrants are observed and that they are provided with decent work opportunities. In 2011 the Republic of Kazakhstan adopted a migration law under which immigrants  — including foreigners and stateless persons who enter Kazakhstan for temporary or permanent residence — are recognized. In that law we have defined labour migration and created norms to regulate it, including a quota for labour migration for different categories of the foreign work force. Up to 2011, Kazakhstan gave migrant permits only to employers, but now we are working to encourage small businesses to open. We are providing special work permits. Most immigrants coming from neighbouring countries end up working for the private sector, and that is why we are planning to allow individuals to hire foreign workers. We have defined a new category of immigrants — business immigrants, those who have come in particularly with the idea of being entrepreneurs. We have enabled them to obtain permission to work and have included them under the new law, as they were not specifically addressed under the previous law. There are also simplified means of attracting foreign workers in the new law. We underscore that Kazakhstan, the republics of Central Asia, Russia and other CIS countries have a unified migration system. We note that a labour immigration policy can succeed only if there is a coordinated effort on the part of all the countries of the region to carry out a joint policy. We have established that type of cooperation. In 2007 the States members of the CIS created a council of the institutions regulating immigration, which is functioning successfully today. For seven years now we have been meeting twice a year to discuss current issues of labour migration. At those meetings there are information exchanges and general trends are discussed, as are problems in immigration policies. We actively cooperate to assist legal migration and to bring and end to illegal migration. Last year Kazakhstan signed the concept of the CIS member States’ common migration space. It represents an agreed position to create and strengthen a shared intergovernmental policy on migration in the region. Strategic areas in the concept include creating favourable conditions for movement of the labour force and ensuring equal treatment for migrant workers, widening the channels of legal employment for them and enhancing the effectiveness of inter-State cooperation in managing migration processes. Kazakhstan intends to continue that work in the framework of the CIS. From our side we want to contribute to strengthening the institutions and mechanisms of migration in order to achieve socioeconomic stability in the region. Moreover, today we are not limiting ourselves to the CIS. Regulatory problems and the regional labour mobility issues are being raised during meetings of the customs union and the unified economic space. Further economic integration in the region is posing new questions related to migration and to respect for the rights and interests of labour migrants, which is leading us to new, joint decisions. We adopted the Agreement on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers and Members of their Families in 2010. In accordance with the Agreement, we eliminated procedures requiring work permits created by countries to protect their domestic labour markets. In fact, we can say that cooperation has been established to coordinate the migration processes between countries in the region. We are working intensively with them on those issues. I must also mention the support of United Nations and the International Organization for Migration, which are directly involved in resolving policy issues on labour migration. Kazakhstan greatly appreciates those efforts by international organizations.

At the outset, I would like to join previous speakers in commending the President for presiding over this plenary meeting and thanking the Secretary-General and other speakers for their statements. We praise the Government of Mexico for its valuable contribution to the High-level Dialogue. Armenia is a nation challenged by migration. It is the most recent signatory to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. The Government has identified the management of migration processes as one of its priority directions, and tangible improvements have been made within the last three years. The Concept for the Policy of State Regulation of Migration of the Republic of Armenia, with 14 priority areas, was adopted, and an action plan for 2012-2016, containing 147 concrete activities, was introduced for its implementation. To reduce the negative consequences of emigration from Armenia, my Government has taken significant steps in establishing strong ties with a number of key partners. Besides its growing cooperation with the European Union, it has signed the mobility partnership declaration and visa facilitation and readmission agreements. Today, eight migration projects — at a cost of €9 million  — are being implemented in Armenia with European States on both bilateral and multilateral cooperation platforms. As approximately 80 per cent of Armenia’s emigrants are in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the country is actively involved in integration processes in the region. Coordinated action is under way to establish a joint labour market and manage population movements in accordance with an agreed policy, as highlighted during the CIS conference on labour migration as a factor of development in the CIS, held in June, in Moscow. Armenia considers highly important the issues concerning the return and reintegration of its citizens from abroad and the utilization of the diaspora’s potential as a key element in the country’s migration and development agenda. The Armenian diaspora represents a unique phenomenon, as more than two thirds of Armenians worldwide reside outside the Republic of Armenia. Currently, there are Armenian communities in almost every country of the world. The traditional diaspora was formed mainly as a result of the Armenian genocide of 1915. In the past 20 years, the diaspora has been enriched by Armenian emigrants who left Armenia owing to socioeconomic hardship. The Armenian Government has adopted a policy of strengthening the ties between the motherland and the diaspora by promoting the latter’s cultural identity and maintenance of national traits and utilizing the diaspora’s potential to develop the Armenian economy. The steps taken to achieve those goals may be of great interest to other countries. Pursuant to the 2006 amendments to the Constitution, foreign citizens of Armenian descent have the right to obtain citizenship of the Republic of Armenia through a simplified procedure. The All-Armenian Fund was established in 1992. The Fund has branches in more than 40 countries. All- Armenian global conferences, Pan-Armenian Games, cultural festivals and other events aimed at bringing together specialists of like professional background are organized on a regular basis. The establishment of the Ministry of Diaspora in 2008 provided a new impetus to the activities carried out with regard to the diaspora. State policies regarding Armenian citizens residing abroad have mainly focused — since the early 1990s — on promoting their return and sustainable reintegration. In the development context, it should be underscored that returning migrants possess new knowledge and skills, new business ideas and fresh multicultural perceptions, all of which are particularly important to Armenia. That is why supporting such returns is one of the priorities of the Armenian Government’s migration policy. The issues of return and reintegration are both included in the international cooperation agenda. Currently a consortium composed of eight European countries, headed by the French immigration and integration office, is implementing a long-term project dealing with the two issues. The web page www.backtoarmenia.com enables returnees to establish direct contact from abroad with the relevant governmental institutions in Armenia through electronic communications, including Skype, and to receive prompt and reliable feedback with respect to their inquiries. We believe that the measures targeting return and reintegration carried out by various countries would have been more effective if the international community had taken a more active role in various matters, such as the implementation of return projects aimed at highly qualified specialists residing outside the country of origin, the creation of conditions for directing migrant remittances to sectors of the economy and the broad application of circular migration schemes. Armenia welcomes the draft declaration that has been adopted and strongly believes that the Dialogue will do much to support further implementation of the goals involving migration and development at the national, regional and international levels and will help to set the stage for the post-2015 development agenda with a focus on the issue.

At the outset, we express our condolences over the unfortunate events in Lampedusa, Italy. I also extend to the Assembly the warmest greetings of the Government of the Republic of Panama, in particular of the President of the Republic, Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal, and of the Panamanian delegation and myself. With respect to the issues of migration and development before the Assembly today, I am pleased to report to those present that my country is dealing with those issues. The document on the topic (A/68/190) puts the number of migrants worldwide at 232 million  — hence the necessity of formulating policies to appropriately manage migration. The National Migration Service and the Ministry of Labour have, in recent years, issued executive orders to amend, extend and repeal provisions in order to bring procedures for the issuance of new visas for migrants and work permits into line with international norms. Panama has introduced visas and work permits based on a humanistic approach, which we consider important. For example, family reunification is now recognized as a basis for the admission of foreigners with Panamanian children. Permanent residency status has been granted to many foreigners who were not previously so entitled. Transient and temporary workers are now issued visas for one year — double the prior six-month period — and such visas can be extended for a further five years. Furthermore, a special visa and work permit has been created for professionals who wish to reside permanently in the Republic of Panama and contribute their knowledge and experience to further the country’s economic, cultural and social development. I wish also to draw attention to Panama’s administrative efforts to support the international community, at a time when some economies are experiencing labour pressures. Accordingly, our Government has not only extended the range of available visas and work permits but also called for the establishment of special procedures to regularize migration status by addressing fundamental issues of those foreigners who are not eligible for any migration status under the country’s current migration legislation. Migration campaigns, of which 12 have been held since they were launched in 2010, have made it possible for over 35,000 foreigners, of 80 nationalities, whose migration status was irregular to be granted temporary residence for two years and a work permit for the same amount of time. For those who sign up for it the second time, the provisional residence permit can also be extended for ten more years. I am happy to inform the Assembly that, at this moment, we are holding the twelfth extraordinary day for legalizing migrants, what we have called “Panama, the melting pot”. We hope to grant 10,000 additional temporary visas to undocumented migrants. It is also very important to emphasize that giving immigrants the opportunity to obtain legal status and work permits not only benefits our country in terms of security and the economy, but migrants themselves are then incorporated into the social security, banking and labour systems, preventing them from falling victim to exploitation and allowing them to offer their families a decent standard of living. I am sure that with the participation of everyone here today, we will manage to have a positive exchange of ideas and good practices, which will benefit the international community and improve the quality of life of our brothers and sisters. As the President of the Republic of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, said in a statement he gave at the General Assembly: “We leave behind a legacy of social and political stability, sustained high economic growth throughout the Latin American region, and we have helped to promote and build the common welfare of the Panamanian nation” (A/68/PV.8, p. 6).

The initiative represented by this Dialogue is becoming increasingly pressing, given the growing levels of international migration, and addressing the topic in a multilateral forum enables us to adopt decisions that reflect the global character of migration in a consistent and coordinated manner. That is why I am pleased that the United Nations, a good example of multilateralism, is the forum for these deliberations over the mobility of people and their rights, something that has been expressed repeatedly by the South American Conference on Migration. The United Nations is the appropriate place to make any decisions about addressing international migration. Furthermore, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), deserves special mention. It has played an important role, both as an intergovernmental organization specializing in migration and by helping prepare this second High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development. The IOM has also been involved in the South American Conference on Migration. In that regard, we request the Secretary- General to set up a working group of no more than nine countries, so as to speed up the process and make it more viable, in order to analyse and come up with new mechanisms to address the scope and challenges of migration, thereby improving the interaction between the United Nations and the IOM. In the past 20 years, the migration landscape has changed, both globally and regionally. South-North migration is no longer the dominant pattern, and trends that were emerging during the course of 2006 have increased and strengthened. The expansion of South-South migration and North-South migration now reflects the new face of international migration. In that context, Chile, as a middle-income country with a per capita gross national product of around $16,000, has become an emerging magnet for migrants in recent years. It went from being a country of origin to one that meets the dual nature of a country of origin and destination for migrants. Since 2006 and in relation to that recent evolution, Chile has sought to address those challenges and take advantage of the opportunities offered by migration, incorporating migration issues and the needs of migrants into the Government’s public agenda. The basis for addressing international migration in our country lies in an undiminished respect for the human rights of migrants and their families, as exemplified by Chile’s ratification of the main international instruments on migration, which include the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, as well as the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol. Chile has therefore promoted efforts to manage migration, seeking a comprehensive approach to international migration through a multisectoral institutional administrative structure, such as a council for migration policy and an interministerial committee on the Chilean community abroad. Meanwhile, in order to promote the principle of legal residency, which ensures that migrants can exercise their full human rights within their host community, Chile has implemented procedures to make migrants legal through legal initiatives aimed at modernizing the country’s immigration laws. That is based on the belief that a status of residency that has been regularized and is in accordance with the law would in turn ensure the integrity of migrants and the social and labour rights of Chilean nationals. In terms of applying the principles of human rights and governance at the national level, Chile has been updating the normative framework on migration with the enactment of a law on the protection of refugees and a law on human trafficking, especially of women. Chile hopes that that will lead to a more cohesive society. Furthermore, we are currently discussing in Congress the new bill on migration and immigration, which seeks, by creating a council on migration policy and a migration division, to update the legal framework, adapting it to the changing needs of the country and to the requirements of the migration process. Foreigners who, for a number of reasons, have decided to settle in Chile must be able to rest assured that their nationality will not be detrimental to their status. In that regard, compared to current regulations, the bill is a step forward, in that it underscores explicitly the terms and conditions of equality relating to the rights of migrants in general, listing the privileges that are appropriate and describing the minimum amount of protection that can be guaranteed for those who remain in the country without any legal status. On a global scale, Chile has promoted the process that was guided by the High-level Dialogue in 2006, actively participating in meetings of the Global Forum on Migration and Development. In that same vein, Chile also chaired a high-level dialogue between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union (EU) on migration, seeking to build a space for dialogue and joint work on the challenges of migration between the two regions. To acknowledge the joint work done by the two regions and bearing in mind the importance of updated data and objective information on international migration, Chile has developed the first CELAC-EU statistical digest on migration. Once again, the IOM can be given credit for that work, as well as the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. Finally, at the regional level, Chile chaired the recent South American Conference on Migration and has hosted meetings and consultation processes on the South American region. Since the last meeting in 2012, Chile has helped define a common position for the South American region in the lead-up to the second High-level Dialogue. The result of those efforts is embodied in the Buenos Aires Declaration, which presents the position of the South American countries in terms of addressing and monitoring migration at the global level. Needless to say, in terms of monitoring, Chile has promoted the drafting and subsequent ratification of a global convention on international migration that seeks to shape a global consensus with minimum standards on migration and its global governance.

Let me first express condolences to the families of those who lost their lives on the way to Lampedusa. Moldova knows very well the tragedy of families and human lives that were destroyed by migration. At the outset, I would like to express appreciation for the fact that the United Nations attaches such great attention to the issue of migration. That shows the determination of Member States to cope with it in the best possible way, through partnership and dialogue. Like other countries, the Republic of Moldova has grown aware of the important opportunities that migration brings but has also learned to react wisely to the challenges it poses. In the light of the very complex impacts on Moldova, a composite response mechanism became necessary with an extended partnership base to address the international core of the migration processes. That motivated us to be the pilot country in implementing the European Union (EU)-Moldova mobility partnership and to actively participate in the work of the Global Forum on Migration and Development. In that context, the partnership proved to be the key element for strengthening sustainable development and consolidating the efforts of all the actors — a dimension that should be further enhanced at the regional and global levels. The experience of about five years of implementation of the mobility partnership — during which 89 projects and initiatives have been or are currently under implementation  — has strengthened our cooperation and relationship of trust with the EU and EU member States and has had a direct positive impact on prospective migrants, current migrants and returnees. We are ready to continue and to deepen our cooperation with the EU and to share our experience with anyone who is interested. Moreover, the evaluation of our work is also available. The evidence-based migration policymaking is crucial for the State and individuals. Moldova recently completed its first extended migration profile, incorporating it into the internal statistical monitoring system, where, by conducting periodic household surveys and cooperating closely with destination countries, we are able to better monitor and manage migration flows. Shortly, the diaspora profiles of main destination countries for migration from Moldova will be available for a wide range of uses, from better assisting migrants in vulnerable situations to better attracting and guiding investment. It is our strong belief that improved data exchange, first of all between countries of origin and destination, could be of significance in recording the migration experiences of specific individuals. The representative of the Russian Federation mentioned in his statement earlier today (see A/68/PV.25) that the authorities know by name all migrants who have broken Russian law. Having access to that type of information would, for example, allow Moldova to better inform its citizens and provide the necessary legal assistance that will be beneficial to the two States, but most of all to the individuals concerned. Certainly migration is a high priority on the development agenda of my country. Thus, mainstreaming migration and development in national planning has become an important field of activity for us. We have adopted systemic changes with long- lasting effects and a whole-Government approach. Accordingly, in all the ministries and State agencies, a deputy minister is responsible for migration and diaspora affairs. The migration and diaspora impact has been introduced ex ante into all new public policies in order to estimate the potential impact of migration on our citizens abroad, and special instruments have been devised to create a migration impact checklist. Regional cooperation is fundamental to the management of migration. One of our Government’s priorities is the establishment of bilateral agreements and a cooperation framework at the regional level. The aim of those agreements with neighbouring countries is to reinforce measures for social protection, mutual humanitarian assistance, employment, respect for human rights of migrants and more. The Republic of Moldova has established more than 20 such bilateral agreements. It is committed to further advancing that practice. The Moldovan Government reaffirms the importance of migration in the post-2015 development agenda and considers that further steps should be taken to diminish the negative effects of migration through the implementation of more efficient policies. Dialogue has proved to be a useful instrument to help achieving those goals, and we hope that it will be diversified and enhanced in future.

Let me first express my deep gratitude on behalf of the Government of Ghana to the General Assembly for organizing the second High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development. I am grateful for this opportunity to address the Assembly. The issues that are engaging our attention during the Dialogue are of relevance to global and national development, whether they have to do with national planning, human rights or policy decision-making, among other matters. History has fine examples of the immense contributions of migrants to the transformational development, peace and security of great nations. It is on account of the significance of migration to global and national development that Ghana actively participated in the first General Assembly High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development and is also participating in today’s dialogue. The objectives and expected outcomes of the Dialogue are, in our assessment, of relevance in optimizing the development gains to be derived from migration, while minimizing the negative impacts. There are a number of possible engagements on the international scene, such as promoting circular migration and visa facilitation to optimize the gains of migration, as well as readmission agreements and voluntary repatriation packages to reduce the pain of reintegration. Circular migration has increasingly been heralded by policymakers as a solution to transform international migration into a win-win-win situation, where a nation can successfully meet its labour market needs, while also increasing benefits through remittances and know-how. Migrants themselves can raise their standard of living without leaving their families on a permanent basis. However, some of the terms of such agreements make it difficult for developing countries to take advantage of circular migration. Ghana is both a destination and an origin country for international migration, with an estimated 3 million Ghanaians in the diaspora. In turn, the migrant populations include a significant number of citizens and economic migrants belonging to members of the Economic Community of West African States, this being a result in part of civil wars and several political security post-conflict situations, as experienced by Ghana’s immediate neighbouring States, including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and the Niger. Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to the governance of international migration when the Government decided to subscribe to the International Convention on the Protection of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, aimed, inter alia, at protecting the right of migrant workers to dignity and the due processes of law. Ghana has also recently ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its supplemental Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. As a country, Ghana remains focused on promoting and protecting the interests and welfare of our compatriots abroad through our diplomatic missions and consulates. To help our nationals to be able to contribute immensely to the national development agenda, in August 2012 Ghana established a Diaspora Support Unit, with technical assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as a cross-cutting multistakeholder unit coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Integration to mainstream the Ghanian diaspora in national development. In collaboration with the relevant public- sector institutions, the Diaspora Support Unit aims at providing, through its website and social media platforms, a one-stop shop to facilitate the dissemination of information, applications for dual citizenship, remittance transfers, investments, trade, registration of companies, labour mobility and reintegration. Ghana recognizes the global character of international migration and affirms that international migration is a phenomenon growing in both scope and diversity. Ghana, for its part, believes international migration could be a positive force for development, in both countries of origin and countries of destination, provided that it is supported by the right set of policies. Under the Ghana shared growth and development agenda for 2010 to 2013, efforts have been made to establish a comprehensive institutional framework for the management of migration, to harmonize registration, to develop a comprehensive database, and to build the human and technical capacity of migration institutions for better migration management. In pursuit of those ideas, the Migration Unit of the Ministy of the Interior is coordinating efforts to bring the policymaking process to its logical conclusion. A draft national migration policy is before the Cabinet of Ghana for consideration and, if approved, to be submitted to Parliament for the necessary legislative backing. That draft policy envisages, among other things, the establishment of a national migration commission to be responsible for both internal and external migration. With regard to policy initiatives and measures, it is important to state that Ghana’s national population policy contains significant elements on migration. The 2010 national population census captured relevant issues on migration to aid policy formulation. It is noteworthy that the Ghana immigration service has adopted a long-term strategy plan for the implementation of its institutional mandates. In that connection, the service has established the Ghana Migration Management Bureau with three divisions. The first focuses on combating the trafficking and smuggling of persons through the adoption of an operational plan to ensure Ghana’s compliance with minimum international standards. Secondly, the Migration Information Bureau is to cap irregular migration and promote legal migration through information-gathering, creating public awareness and educating on the dangers of illegal migration and on opportunities for legal migration. The third division is a refugee section that collaborates with the Ghana Refugee Board, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the IOM to provide protection for refugees and the implementation of the Government secession policy on the local reintegration policy of refugees. As a developing country, Ghana concurs with the community of nations on concerns about the increase in illegal migration and the exploitation and abuse of migrants in irregular situations. In recent times, Ghana has recorded several cases of abuse and violations of the human rights of Ghanians who are recruited to some Arab Gulf countries to work as domestic servants. We urge the international community to continue its efforts in combating trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants, especially women and children, at the national, bilateral, regional and global levels. It is of interest to mention that in July 2012 the Parliament of Ghana enacted legislation that criminalizes migrant smuggling, which grossly dehumanizes the dignity of the individual. Let me conclude by reiterating that Ghana is willing and ready to partner with the United Nations and other organizations such as the IOM and the Global Migration Group to continue addressing international migration and development issues. Before I resume my seat, I wish to take the opportunity to say that Ghana joins countries across the globe in conveying its deepest condolences to the families of those lost in the tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea this morning. May the souls of the perished rest in peace.

My delegation associates itself with the statement delivered earlier by the Minister of Defence, National Security and Immigration of the Republic of Fiji on behalf of the Group of 77 and China (see A/68/PV.25) The adoption of the Declaration (resolution 68/4) this morning is a significant step in mainstreaming migration and development in the global development agenda. I, too, congratulate the delegation of Mexico for conducting consultations on the draft declaration, and I acknowledge the contribution of all States to that forward-looking document. The report of the Secretary-General (A/68/190) on the theme contains valuable information for all stakeholders and outlines the preparedness of the United Nations system to face current and future challenges associated with migration and to optimize development benefits. The High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development is a very important multilateral process on migration. It is noteworthy that the first High-level Dialogue, in 2006, gave birth to the Global Forum on Migration and Development, which has now become a very useful forum in which to discuss the important issues pertaining to migration and development. The subject is very important to my country. Sri Lanka ratified the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families in 1996. Sri Lanka was elected to the 14-member Committee on Migrant Workers in 2009 and again in 2013. For Sri Lanka, circular employment migration has become a very crucial phenomenon. Out of a total population of 20.3 million citizens, an estimated 1.7 million are employed overseas as contract workers. This is 21 per cent of the country’s economically active labour force. Moreover, Sri Lankans employed abroad remitted a total of $6.1 billion during 2012, which amounted to 35 per cent of the total foreign exchange earnings. Needless to say, at this present time, that is a very important source of foreign income for the country. A very important facet of this migration is that the earnings from employment abroad flowed into the remotest areas of Sri Lanka. In many instances those earnings have become more effective than development aid at alleviating poverty. In Sri Lanka, 49 per cent of employed migrants are female. The protection of female migrant workers and their children left behind is at the core of the Government’s policy framework on migration. In that connection, the Government recently decided to obtain a family background report on all migrant mothers prior to their departure. This is to ensure that a stable arrangement is in place for the protection and well- being of the children they leave behind. Sri Lanka has also established an association with an island- wide network called Rata Viruwo, meaning “heroes overseas”, with the next of kin of every migrant worker being a member, to look into the welfare needs of the families left behind. Plans are now under way to increase the skilled labour force for the overseas job market in Sri Lanka. Many Government-sponsored initiatives aim to develop the skills of women and youth who are potential migrants to suit overseas markets. As the host country of the World Conference on Youth in 2014, Sri Lanka welcomes the theme of International Youth Day 2013: “Youth Migration: Moving Development Forward”. In addition to the common development challenges facing youth all over the world, especially those living in developing countries, we recognize that migrant youth have specific issues. The Conference on Youth will focus on how to mainstream the youth perspective in internationally agreed development goals. We welcome the engagement of stakeholders to reiterate the importance of migration and development. We are working closely with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other United Nations agencies on projects related to migrants. The IOM provides technical assistance to train officials in charge of immigration, border security and the welfare of migrants. The IOM also assisted us in establishing the National Centre for Migration Statistics in the Department of Census and Statistics in 2008. Similarly, the ILO helped us develop the national labour migration policy in 2008, for the first time in South Asia. On 3 and 4 December 2013, Sri Lanka will host a regional dialogue in collaboration with UN Women to develop a standard employment contract for female migrant domestic workers. Senior officials from labour- sending countries in Asia and receiving countries in the Middle East will attend this dialogue with the expectation of reaching a consensus. Sri Lanka reiterates its commitment to advancing all relevant international conventions on migration. However, we strongly believe in the need for a more effective mechanism to monitor the implementation of those conventions by both countries of origin and destination countries. As a member of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, Sri Lanka will contribute to the Group’s work to duly recognize migration as one of the priority areas of the post-2015 global development agenda. We look forward to making the living and working conditions of all migrants safe and decent.