Opening of the Informal Interactive Multi-stakeholder Hearing

Opening remarks by the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson

Statement of the Secretary-General of the intergovernmental conference on international migration, Ms. Louise Arbour 

Panel 1: Human rights of all migrants

Human rights of all migrants, social inclusion, cohesion and all forms of discrimination, including racism, xenophobia and intolerance

Suggested topics to be addressed:

• How can the international community move forward from acknowledging the link between protecting the human rights of migrants and the recognition of migration and mobility as a key to sustainable development in the SDGs?
• How to support Member States grapple with protecting national borders while at the same time protecting the rights of migrants, acknowledging this is not a zero-sum game?
• What are practical measures/best practices that can be implemented/replicated on social inclusion of migrants which engages the entire community to counter xenophobia and discrimination?

Panellists:

• Ms. Raísa Ortiz Cetra, Member of the International Work Team, Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales Asociación Civil
• Mr. Marc Schenker, Professor, University of California, Davis
• Mr. Dennis Sinyolo, Senior Coordinator, Education International

Moderator: Mr. Craig Mokhiber, Director of the New York Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Interactive discussion with interventions from the floor

Panel 2: Drivers of migration

Addressing drivers of migration, including adverse effects of climate change, natural disasters and human-made crises, through protection and assistance, sustainable development, poverty eradication, conflict prevention and resolution.

Suggested topics to be addressed:

• What are the linkages between drivers of migration and development and how can these be addressed, building on existing international instrument such as the 2030 Agenda, to strengthen the positive contributions of migration to development?
• Given that drivers of irregular migration occur in both the country of origin and country of destination, how can the complex interrelationship between drivers be addressed holistically, at the international, regional, national, and local levels?
• Recognising that migration can be an adaptation strategy for persons compelled to migrate due to environmental drivers/climate change, what mechanisms could be put in place to address their needs, including temporary, circular or permanent migration?

Panellists:

• Ms. Alice Thomas, Climate Displacement Program Manager, Refugees International
• Mr. Jonathan Crush, Professor, CIGI chair in global migration and development
• Ms. Wardarina, Programme Officer, Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development

Moderator: Mr. Gregory Maniatis, Columbia University, MPI, Open Society Foundation, former senior advisor to SRSG Sutherland

Interactive discussion with interventions from the floor

Panel 3: International cooperation and governance of migration

International cooperation and governance of migration in all its dimensions, including at borders, on transit, entry, return, readmission, integration and reintegration.

Suggested topics to be addressed:

• What are the practical and policy gaps where international cooperation on migration governance could further enhance the benefits of migration for countries of origin, transit, destination and migrants themselves?
• What are examples of best practices of cooperation (bilateral, regional) that can help facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration including at borders, on transit, entry, return, readmission, integration, reintegration?
• How could the existing platforms and mechanisms in migration governance be strengthened or transformed to be useful in implementing?

Panellists:

• Ms. Alice Anderson-Gough, Policy Coordinator, Mixed Migration Platform
• Ms. Sophie Ogilvy, Senior Government Relations Advisor, De La Rue plc
• Hon. Mr. Lyandro Komakech, Member of the Parliament of Uganda

Moderator: Ms. Michele Klein-Solomon, Senior Policy Advisor to the Director-General, IOM

Interactive discussion with interventions from the floor

Panel 4: Contributions of migrants

Contributions of migrants and diasporas to all dimensions of sustainable development, including remittances and portability of earned benefits

Suggested topics to be addressed:

• What are the key knowledge and data gaps on the relationship between migration and development?
• How can contributions of migrants and diaspora to sustainable development be maximized?
• How can remittances be leveraged for development?

Panellists:

• Mr. Kevin Appleby, Senior Director, Scalabrini International Migration Network
• Ms. Sringatin, Chairperson of Indonesian Migrant Workers Union
• Ms. Stéphanie Winet, Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) Business Mechanism Liaison Adviser, International Organisation of Employers

Moderator: Mr. Bela Hovy, Chief of Migration Section, UN DESA

Interactive discussion with interventions from the floor

Closing of the Informal Interactive Multi-stakeholder Hearing

Concluding remarks by H.E. Mr. Jürg Lauber, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations, co-facilitator of the intergovernmental consultations and negotiations of the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration

Closing of the informal interactive multi-stakeholder hearing by the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson