Make migration a resource for all - conclude participants of OSCE-hosted expert meeting on migration in Vienna

VIENNA, 17 June 2016 – Making migration a resource for public institutions, the private sector, local communities and migrants themselves was the main topic of today’s expert meeting on the long-term approach to migration governance, organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA).

“Mutual trust is a precondition for crossing bridges within societies,” said Paul Bekkers, Director of the Office of the OSCE Secretary General. “Building fair societies, grounded on inclusive growth, transparency and the rule of law as well as equal access to employment opportunities, should be our objective when thinking of the future of migration governance.”

Ambassador Bekkers also stressed that integration and participation of migrants in the workforce is the winning strategy that states should pursue.

Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the OSCE Claude Wild emphasized that the labour migration must expand. “Migration forces the world to address the root causes of forced migration; conflict prevention, poverty alleviation and climate change.”

Dr. Halil Yurdakul Yigitgüden, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, noted that the current 60 million refugees worldwide represent a record number since Second World War. “It is undeniable that, increasingly, millions of migrant workers contribute to economic growth and development in the countries of origin and destination. If we think that migrants send back home $583 billion each year, we can realize the scope of the economic potential of migration.”

The event brought together over 80 participants from international and regional organizations – the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations’ Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), OSCE executive structures, national and international specialists in the field of migration governance, academia and civil society.

The key findings of the Expert meeting will be published in the form of a report.

The 2016 OSCE German Chairmanship has selected ‘good migration governance’ as one of the priorities of the Economic and Environmental dimension.