Migration is key contributor to development and economic growth, say participants of OSCE conference ahead of International Migrants Day

Experiences of local governments where migrants contribute successfully to the economic growth of hosting communities, was the focus of the OSCE webinar hosted on 16 December 2020, ahead of International Migrants Day on 18 December. 

Experts and practitioners from local authorities, academia, the private sector and international organizations discussed policy approaches that could harness the socioeconomic potential of diverse societies.

“Migrants can successfully contribute to the economic growth of host communities provided policy approaches lay down the conditions to participate in the labour market,” said Luca Fratini, the Director of the Office of the OSCE Secretary General. “When migrants are granted the possibility to take an active part in their own socioeconomic integration, they can trigger benefits for everyone, migrants and the host society alike.”

The Deputy Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, Ermelinda Meksi, reminded the audience that international migration as a form of development is clearly stated in OSCE commitments in the second dimension.

“To ensure that the potential benefits of migration are maximized and widely shared, governments need to tailor appropriate regulations,” said Meksi. “The physical movement of people between countries is a tremendous engine of trade, entrepreneurship, and the spread of ideas. Assisting new destinations to absorb and benefit from migration flows is an essential part of any serious policy agenda to regulate migration in this century. This is even more important now that the COVID-19 pandemic is calling for unprecedented collaborative efforts to cope with the negative consequences of lockdown measures and support a much needed recovery”

Since the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, OSCE participating States have acknowledged the increasing importance of and the benefits stemming from effective migration management for the socio-economic development, social cohesion, security and stability in all countries.

“Recognizing that migrants and refugees are not only people in need but also individuals with skills and talents to offer, can contribute to changing the narrative on migration,” said Luca Pianese, OSCE Senior Migration and Security Expert. “In doing so, migrants can be powerful levers for economic, social and cultural development.”

The Webinar was organized jointly by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and the External Co-operation Section of the OSCE Office of Secretary General.