Lebanon - The UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA) and IOM yesterday (14/1) launched the 2015 Situation Report on International Migration: Migration, Displacement and Development in a Changing Arab Region in Beirut, Lebanon.

The report is the first compilation of up-to-date data and information on migration trends and patterns and developments in migration governance in the Arab region. 

Drawing on the expertise of the member agencies of the Working Group on International Migration in the Arab Region, it highlights the need for coordinated and holistic responses to current migration and displacement challenges.

At a time when migration and displacement in the Arab region have reached record numbers, a dedicated thematic chapter examines the relationship between forced migration and development and presents innovative ideas to tackle the development challenges which large-scale displacement can present for the development of individuals, communities and countries.  

The report finds that with over 30 million international migrants, the region is host to one of the largest migrant populations in the world. It also hosts the largest number of refugees and displaced persons worldwide, exacerbated by the war in the Syria. At the same time, migration has been a long-standing contributor to the development of countries and communities across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

In their joint foreword, IOM Director General William Lacy Swing and ESCWA Under-Secretary-General Rima Khalaf note: “[The report] makes a case for policies to promote the free movement of people and greater integration between countries of origin and destination, insofar as such policies are compatible with their interests and contribute to their economic and social well-being.”

The report comprises four main sections:

Three Main Migration Patterns in the Arab Region.  For a quick overview of key issues, the report outlines the three principal patterns of migration characterizing the Arab region: regular and irregular migration, forced migration and mixed migration flows.

General Overview of International Migration Trends in the Arab World. This chapter summarizes international migration trends in the Arab region based on the latest data from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the World Bank, open-source information and academic literature. It describes trends at the regional, sub-regional and country levels, migrant flows to and from Arab countries, migration of specific socio-demographic groups, and remittance flows.

Developments in Migration Governance in the Arab Region since 2012. Reviewing national policy developments in areas such as labor migration, human trafficking and irregular migration, health, forced migration, expatriate engagement, and nationality and statelessness between January 2012 and April 2015, the report emphasizes the importance of good migration governance, protection of human rights and cooperation, and makes a series of recommendations for policymakers in the region.

Forced Migration, Displacement and Development. This chapter explores the link between development and displacement. Looking at sectors of development including health, education, environmental sustainability, labor markets, human capital, remittances and social cohesion, it analyses the impact of displacement on the development of individuals, communities and countries, and calls for a long-term vision that addresses challenges, but also recognizes possible development opportunities.

The full report is available in English here.

For further information, please contact Karoline Popp at IOM’s MENA Regional Office in Cairo, Tel: +20227365140, Email: kpopp@iom.int