28 May 2013
ASIA-PACIFIC REGIONAL THEMATIC WORKING GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION INCLUDING HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Asia-Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting for the General Assembly High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development
29-31 May 2013
UNCC, Bangkok
Opening remarks
By
Mr. Andrew Bruce & Ms. Nanda Krairiksh
Co-Chairs of the Thematic Working Group on International Migration
including Human Trafficking
Your Excellency Mr. Padermchai Sasomsap, Minister of Labour, Royal Thai Government,
Mr. Yoshiteru Uramoto, ILO Asia-Pacific Regional Director,
Mr. William Gois, Regional Coordinator, Migrant Forum Asia
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the United Nations Asia-Pacific Thematic Working Group on International Migration including Human Trafficking, it is a privilege for us to welcome you to ESCAP, the regional headquarters of the United Nations, for the Asia-Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting for the General Assembly High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development 2013.
This Meeting is being held pursuant to General Assembly resolution 67/219, which invited the regional commissions, including ESCAP, in collaboration with the United Nations system and the International Organization for Migration, to organize discussions to examine regional aspects of international migration and development.
As per this mandate, ESCAP is organizing this Meeting jointly with the United Nations system and the International Organization for Migration to provide Asian and Pacific governments and other stakeholders with an intergovernmental platform to identify key migration and development issues, challenges and priorities for the Asia-Pacific region in preparation for the High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development 2013 to be held in New York on 3 and 4 October of this year.
This Meeting represents the second time in recent years that the Regional Thematic Working Group has joined forces to plan and organize such an intergovernmental Meeting, which is a reflection of the priority that we accord to issues of international migration and development, and our commitment to “Delivering as One UN.”
The agreed outcome of this Meeting will serve as the Asia-Pacific regionalinput to the High-level Dialogue. We are gratified that through your attendance at this Meeting governments in the region have demonstrated their commitment to addressing international migration and development in Asia and the Pacific.
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are all aware of the relevance and impact of international migration in Asia and the Pacific. Someone in four of the world’s migrants live in the Asia-Pacific region, and the region receives over40 percent of the world’s remittances. Yet, while the phenomenon of international migration is not new, enhanced mobility over the past four decades has fostered larger flows and the emergence of new migratory patterns in the region. Additionally, migration challenges have become increasingly complex, whether it is migrants affected by environmental and climate challenges, or the nexus between trafficking and forced labour.
The International Organization for Migration, along with other members of the Thematic Working Group on International Migration including Human Trafficking,continues to focus on finding innovative ways to maximize the benefits of migration for all parties, and encourage regular, safe and orderly migration. In 2006 the first High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development was held inNew York.This Regional Preparatory meeting is designed to feed into the General Assembly’s second High-level Dialogue on Migration and Development later this year.
In order to harness the development potential of international migration, we need a greater understanding of the dynamics and fluidity of migratory movements. We should also continue to learn from policies that have been successful in fostering this potential, whilst mitigating costs. This Meeting gives us the opportunity to identify effective regional practices in key areas. These can thencontribute to the High-level Dialogue in October.
As we exchange good practices and share experiences, we must keep in mind that international migration is, at its root, about human stories. While many are quick to champion the development benefits of migration, we must be aware of the challenges that exist for migrants in their day to day life.
For too many, the migratory experience is not a positive one. In the absence of sufficient safeguards to protect and promote their rights, many migrants find themselves in the hands of unscrupulous recruiters, employers, migrant smugglers or human traffickers. Most have limited access to social protection systems, including health services. We must also recognize that women migrants are among the most vulnerable for a number of reasons, including due to the nature of the work they perform.
Nevertheless, our region has found innovative ways to address these challenges. Many countries in the region have established institutional arrangements to manage the deployment of migrant workers, to provide social protection schemes to migrant workers, and to foster relationships between countries of origin and the diaspora abroad.
We look forward to the sharing of such good practices at this Meeting, and hope that over the discussions during the next three days, Governments work towards a stronger regional cooperation on international migration policy frameworks.
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The High Level Dialogue was envisioned as a global process that would promote and enhance the positive impact of international migration on development, and on the lives of migrants. We are gathered here to continue this vision by identifying and sharing new instruments, exchanging good practices, sharing expertise, and establishing cooperative links in preparation for the forthcoming High-level Dialogue. This preparatory meeting provides us with the unique opportunity to shape and ensure a strong Asia-Pacific regional voice at the upcoming meeting in New York.
We are heartened to see such a diverse and inclusive group of countries and other stakeholders eager to participate in this meeting, and I believe this is a testament to the importance given to migration issues in the region. I am confident that over the next three days we will be able to agree on a strong outcome document which concretely reflects the migration issues and trends in the region.
In conclusion, on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Thematic Working Group on International Migration including Human Trafficking, let me express our deep appreciation to His Excellency the Minister for Labourof the Government of Thailand for taking time from his busy schedule to inaugurate this Meeting.
We look forward to lively discussions and a stimulating exchange of national experiences during the next three days.
Thank you.
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