UN's Global Migration Compact: A Step Towards Cooperative Solutions
On Thursday in New York, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the significance of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, commonly referred to as the "Marrakech Compact," describing it as a "key step" in the realm of multilateral cooperation. During the opening session of the second International Migration Review Forum, which is set to take place from May 5 to May 8, Guterres noted that since its adoption in 2018, member states have implemented tangible measures to expand safe pathways for migration and enhance initiatives concerning labor mobility. He pointed out that these commitments also encompass the improvement of search and rescue operations, the development of data systems, and the promotion of safer return and reintegration processes for migrants.
For the UN chief, this forum, which convenes every four years, serves as an opportunity to assess the progress made in fulfilling these commitments, address challenges candidly, and establish future priorities. Guterres acknowledged the reality that no single country can manage migration independently, asserting that this endeavor necessitates coordinated cooperation across borders, governments, and society. To address the multifaceted challenges posed by migration, he highlighted the importance of prioritizing human rights in any migration policy, urging governments to intensify their efforts to eradicate discriminatory practices.
Moreover, he emphasized the need to ensure actual access for migrants to education, housing, healthcare, and social protection, while adopting a "more robust" approach to protect women and girls from human trafficking and gender-based violence. According to Guterres, migration should be made "safer" through the establishment of early warning systems, improved data provision, and enhanced collaboration to identify and assist vulnerable migrants. He also pointed out the necessity of taking decisive action against traffickers and smugglers through effective cooperation mechanisms.
In conclusion, he called for the establishment of safe, orderly, and practical migration pathways for students, workers of all skill levels, families, and those seeking safety and protection. In alignment with these sentiments, the Director General of the International Organization for Migration, Amy Pope, remarked that well-managed migration presents opportunities for development and growth. She explained how migration "fills labor shortages, responds to demographic changes, stimulates growth, and enhances development through financial remittances and skills transfer," underscoring the importance of strengthening international cooperation to build organized and equitable systems. Pope acknowledged the significant and complex challenges posed in a geopolitical context characterized by uncertainty and division, yet she stated that progress is attainable through cooperation and mutual trust. She concluded that "trust lies at the heart of this challenge," both among nations and in the belief that "migration can be managed in an organized, humane, and beneficial manner."
As reported by maroc24.com.
