Migration should be act of hope, not despair; UN chief proposes ways to maximize migrants' contributions

“Let me emphasize: migration is a positive global phenomenon. It powers economic growth, reduces inequalities, connects diverse societies and helps us ride the demographic waves of population growth and decline,” said Guterres, launching his report, Making Migration Work for All, at UN Headquarters, in New York.

Globally, migrants make a major contribution to international development – both by their work as well as through remittances back to their home countries. Last year, migrants remitted nearly $600 billion, three times all development aid.

“The majority of migrants live and work legally,” said the UN chief, noting however, that “others live in the shadows, unprotected by the law and unable to contribute fully to society.”

A “desperate minority” even put their very lives at risk to enter countries where they face suspicion and abuse, he noted, underlining that the impact can be seen not only in the humanitarian crises affecting people on the move and horrific violations of their fundamental rights, but also in public perception that wrongly sees migration as out of control leading to increased mistrust and policies that seek to stop rather than facilitate human movement.

Furthermore, authorities that erect obstacles to migration, actually end up, inflicting economic self-harm, as they impose barriers to having their labour needs met in an orderly, legal fashion.

“Worse still, they unintentionally encourage illegal migration,” said Guterres, noting that aspiring migrants, denied legal pathways to travel, inevitably fall into irregular methods that increase their vulnerability as well as undermine governments' authority.

The best way to end the stigma of illegality and abuse around migrants, he added, is for governments to put in place more legal pathways for migration as well as for development cooperation policies to take human mobility into account.

In the report, which also serves as his principal input to the 'zero draft' – a document forming the basis for final negotiations – of the proposed Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, Secretary-General Guterres calls for concerted effort to implement the declarations and commitments on migration its grounding in human rights.

The UN chief underscores: “The basic challenge before us is to maximize the benefits of migration rather than obsess about minimizing risks: we have a clear body of evidence revealing that, despite many real problems, migration is beneficial both for migrants and host communities in economic and social terms – our overarching task is to broaden the opportunities that migration offers to us all.”

At the same time, it also highlights the important role of all stakeholders – including municipalities, legislatures, civil society, the private sector, regional organizations, the media, academia and migrants themselves.

The report also notes the need for the UN system to be better placed and equipped to support the implementation of the Global Compact, in particular, its oversight.

“I stress my determination to strengthen how we work on this issue, consistent with my proposed management reforms and strengthening of the UN development system,” said Guterres.

Also speaking at the launch, Louise Arbour, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for International Migration highlighted the importance of treating migrants, including irregular migrants, with dignity and respect.

“Fair migration laws, fairly applied, benefit all: they increase predictable and orderly outcomes for States, safe and inclusive environments for both migrants and their host communities,” she said.

Arbour further stated that while much progress has been made in dealing with difficult issues around migration, however, the increased understanding has not always been reflected in world public opinion and recent reactions towards international migration have been a cause for concern.

Finding common grounds towards a global compact that will benefit States, migrants and communities alike will be important, she added.

Photo: UNICEF/Ashley Gilbertson VII