[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Excellencies, Colleagues, Friends,<\/p>\n
Thank you for joining today\u2019s consultation. I am particularly pleased at being able to welcome NGOs and civil society back into the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ\u2019s halls and corridors, after a two-year absence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I offer my special gratitude to Mr. Antonio Vitorino, Coordinator of the United Nations Network on Migration, for the ongoing cooperation between our offices.<\/p>\n
I have made protecting the rights of all, one of the key priorities of my Presidency of Hope. That includes the rights of migrants, who are often among the world\u2019s most marginalized and vulnerable communities \u2013 many of whom are forced to undertake their journeys, driven by desperate circumstances born of conflict and scarcity.<\/p>\n
I will continue to advocate on behalf of their rights when I chair the inaugural Migration Review Forum from 17-20 May under the auspices of the General Assembly, and when I host the multistakeholder hearing on 16 May in the lead up to the event.<\/p>\n
Colleagues,<\/p>\n
Human migration may well be an age-old activity touching almost every society around the world; however, it is changing in important ways.<\/p>\n
Examining the shifts in scale, direction, demography and frequency can illuminate how migration is evolving while also pointing to long-term trends that have been shaped by historical as well as recent events. The upcoming IMRF precisely offers us this opportunity.<\/p>\n
The last two years have been witness to major migration and displacement events; events that have caused great hardship and trauma, as well as loss of life.<\/p>\n
Foremost of these events have been the displacements of\u00a0millions of people due to conflict, or severe economic and political instability.<\/p>\n
There have also been large-scale displacements triggered by climate and weather-related disasters in many parts of the world.<\/p>\n
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the interconnections between migration and mobility, with COVID-19 travel restrictions resulting in unprecedented immobility around the world.<\/p>\n
As we continue to deal with a global pandemic, and all the socio-economic consequences it has entailed, we must be prepared for how all these events will impact migration, both regular and irregular.<\/p>\n
In an environment in which restrictive migration-related policies, such as border management, entry requirements and stay limitations, have become more prominent across the globe, it appears that there are systemic risks to the full realization of the SDGs and gains in human development.<\/p>\n
The situation has been further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted mobility across the globe, forcing countries to re-evaluate their migration and border policies for the new post-pandemic world.<\/p>\n
Colleagues,<\/p>\n
The global community, now, more than ever, has a responsibility to step up and uphold the human rights of all migrants, at every stage of their journey, regardless of their origin or status.<\/p>\n
To that end, the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration remains a historic milestone. Its comprehensive approach provided us with the opportunity to shape a new global framework for migration. One which unlocks the benefits and mitigates the risks of migration, and addresses the priorities and concerns of migrants and host-communities alike.<\/p>\n
I am heartened by the progress we have made in the three years since its adoption. Yet our successes remain fragile, and it is up to us to consolidate and build upon them.<\/p>\n
Colleagues,\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the First International Migration Review Forum fast approaches, let us set our sights high and commit to ambitious outcomes.<\/p>\n
The Forum will be an inclusive event for all stakeholders to discuss progress on implementing the Global Compact, as well as migration as a whole. We will discuss our common challenges, learn from our mistakes, build on our successes, and strengthen partnerships between states and all stakeholders.<\/p>\n
This collaboration across stakeholders remains critical to the implementation of the compact, as was illustrated during the pandemic, when civil society and others helped deliver vital aid and services.<\/p>\n
The multistakeholder hearing that will be held prior to the IMRF, will be an important avenue to hear from all relevant stakeholders:\u00a0<\/p>\n
The summary of the hearing will be carried into the opening plenary of the IMRF by a civil society representative. This will help apprise governments about existing gaps and the best methods of closing them.<\/p>\n
Colleagues,<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s briefing relates to the hearing scheduled for 16 May.<\/p>\n
I am keen to hear your views on the thematic priorities of focus.<\/p>\n
Some points to consider could be:<\/p>\n
I welcome the keenness of stakeholders to contribute to the forum, and I urge all participants to use the time between now and the IMRF to listen and prepare.<\/p>\n
By doing so we can lay the groundwork for concrete action to implement policies aligned with the spirit of the Global Compact for Migration. Concrete action that protects the most vulnerable and facilitates safe and regular pathways for migration.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I am certain, that by working together, we can achieve this outcome.<\/p>\n
I thank you and wish you all a very productive discussion. And I look forward to seeing you in-person, in May.<\/p>\n
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Stakeholder Consultation: Organization of the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) Informal Multi-stakeholder Hearing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":353,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"
Excellencies, colleagues,<\/p>
I welcome you all to our second meeting and our first interaction following the resumed part of the session.<\/p>
Before I begin, I would like to recognize the loss of our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Ms. Gail Farngalo.<\/p>
A Liberian national, Gail was my Team Leader for Human Rights and was active on gender during both the 75th<\/sup> and 76th<\/sup> sessions. She leaves behind a legacy of achievements and a groundswell of respect and affection from across the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and diplomatic communities. Her presence is certainly felt here today.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> When I took on this Presidency of Hope, I pledged to make gender equality a priority area for the 76th<\/sup> session. I continue to look to the board for its wisdom and expertise, as I endeavour to fulfil that pledge.<\/p> In this regard, I have already benefited from the board\u2019s advice, from when we met on October 28th<\/sup> last year.<\/p> Acting on that advice, I committed to ensuring that all my five rays of hope, and all my major initiatives, are approached with a gender lens.<\/p> I made sure that the composition of my office is gender-balanced.<\/p> I have committed to participating only in panels that have equal gender representation.<\/p> Throughout my official interactions and travels, I have endeavoured to meet with women, including heads of states and governments, scientists, civil society representatives, and youth.<\/p> And I am proud to inform you that five young women have been recruited into the Fellowship for HOPE<\/em> that my office recently launched. The Fellowship as you are well aware is targeted at benefiting young diplomats from underrepresented countries, pursuing careers in diplomacy or public service.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> While recognizing that we have a long way to go in the battle for gender-equality, I am proud of what my team has been able to accomplish within the past few months.<\/p> Our work continues.<\/p> We will continue to raise our voices on issues disproportionately impacting women, such as domestic violence and work place harassment. We will continue to push the importance of gender-equal work spaces.<\/p> And we will continue to find new paths to empower young women with ambitious professional aspirations.<\/p> Now is not the time to rest on our laurels.<\/p> With the board\u2019s guidance and support, we must use the many opportunities over the coming months to further empower women and girls, and dismantle discriminatory practices against them.<\/p> There are several upcoming events that will provide us such opportunities. I look forward to the board\u2019s suggestions on how we can best utilize them.<\/p> As an example, the International Day of Women and Girls in science is fast approaching. We must recognize that women\u2019s contributions in science and technology have helped us cure diseases; discover new horizons in space; and develop technologies that have vastly improved our quality of life.<\/p> As we celebrate their achievements, we must also open pathways for young girls who aspire to follow in the footsteps of pioneers in science and technology.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Let us also reflect that the theme chosen by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for this year is on \u201cachieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes\u201d.<\/p> As we strive to meet our obligations to the planet, let us recognize the important work done by women and girls at the forefront of the climate crisis, and whose humanitarian work in disaster-stricken areas has helped save lives and rebuild communities. We owe it to them to not only celebrate their work but to support them.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Our programme of work for the months ahead has been circulated to members prior to the meeting, for consideration and feedback. Please note that the events we have planned are not exhaustive. I welcome further suggestions from the board on the content and format of future events and activities.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> We have made much progress within a short while. And with the board\u2019s support and guidance, I am sure that we can keep up this strong momentum.<\/p> I look forward to working alongside all of you to achieve our vision of a gender-equal world.<\/p> Thank you.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[806,550,505,556,553],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-261305","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-csw","tag-ga","tag-gender","tag-pga","tag-shahid","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n