Mr. Chairman,

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is pleased to
join this debate on International Migration and Development and
wishes to convey its appreciation for the considerations made in
the report of the Secretary-General (A/63/265) with regard to the
groundbreaking relevance of the High Level Dialogue on
International Migration and Development. Similarly, we share in the
positive reception for the Global Forum on Migration and
Development (GFMD), the second meeting of which is underway today
in the Philippines in the presence of the UN Secretary-General. IOM
fully recognizes the state-driven nature of the Global Forum and
has responded positively to invitations from the Government of the
Philippines and several other Governments to contribute to
preparations for the discussions taking place in Manila. By
preparing Roundtable working papers, seconding senior staff and
organizing other inputs in close collaboration with the lead
governments, IOM has proactively responded to the recommendation of
resolution 62/270 addressed to GMG agencies – of which IOM is
a founding member – inviting them to contribute to the work
of the Global Forum.

My delegation would like to echo today some of the
considerations being made by the Director-General of IOM Amb.
William Swing in his address to the Global Forum, which are
pertinent to this discussion and provide IOM's four priorities for
international cooperation on migration and development at the
current juncture of our debate.

Mr. Chairman,

The international community had been aware for some time that
migration was a matter deserving close and continuing attention.
The High Level Dialogue demonstrated that States from around the
world can come together for constructive discussions even if their
perspectives on and experiences of migration differ. The spirit of
positive debate was one of its greatest achievements. The Global
Forum now offers an additional modality to build on the outcomes of
the High Level Dialogue by identifying practical and
action-oriented ways to address the links between migration and
development thus adding a global platform for sustained dialogue on
understanding and international cooperation on migration.

Secondly, the migration and development nexus is critical.
Migration can result from lack of development; at the same time,
underdevelopment can be alleviated or exacerbated by migration.
Thus, migration is neither categorically an obstacle to
development, nor is it a magic wand for its achievement. Instead,
in both the migration and development fields, we must work towards
policies that are carefully shaped to boost the positive potential
of migration for development, while reducing negative
repercussions.

While awareness of the connection between migration and
development is growing, most strategic development frameworks still
do not systematically integrate migration issues. IOM encourages
the international community to make migration considerations a more
regular component of development policies and planning and it is
striking that such ideas are now indeed beginning to find their way
into ever more national development plans.

Successfully addressing the migration and development nexus
requires a comprehensive approach. This means taking into account
linkages not only between migration and development but also with
other critical policy areas. Positive steps are being taken in this
direction – for example, the complex relationship between
migration, development and trade is increasingly making its way
into the debate. Yet there are other domains with important links
to migration and development meriting greater attention: Health,
for example, is often overlooked in the global migration and
development debate, even though addressing the health needs and
rights of migrants is crucial in making the experience of migration
more humane and productive. The shortage of health personnel where
health services are vitally needed, in part due to migration, is of
growing global concern. Education, climate change and the
environment, and a gender perspective to name just three more, also
deserve more careful consideration.

Thirdly, capacity development to realize the development
potential of migration is the major task ahead – and is
fundamental to good governance. Without the necessary foundations
– comprehensive and coherent policies, fair and properly
functioning legal and administrative structures, well-trained
personnel – governments will remain ill-equipped to harness
the potential benefits of migration. In essence, it is time for
governance of migration to be a priority focus at national and
international levels. And it is time for real capacity building to
be made available for those governments that need it.

Fourthly, partnerships are paramount and initiatives at
national, regional, inter-regional and global levels are
complementary. In addition to the importance of mainstreaming
migration into national development planning agendas, at the
regional level the relevance of Regional Consultative Processes on
migration (RCPs) and other forms of regional dialogue should be
highlighted. As identified in the Report of the Secretary-General,
RCPs are important mechanisms for achieving multi-lateral
understanding and action on migration issues. Many regional
consultations give priority to migration and development
considerations while others take a more ad hoc approach. IOM will
have the opportunity during the course of 2009 to bring together
the Chairing Governments and Secretariats of the major Regional
Consultative Processes to explore possible synergies between them
and foster learning among them.

Let me close by assuring you Mr. Chairman, that IOM is committed
to helping the international community realize the full development
potential of migration, and to promoting more orderly and humane
migration, in full respect of the human rights of all migrants. At
this time of global financial uncertainties, when the responses to
cushion the impact of the economic downturn are being developed,
let's ensure that migrants needs are specifically considered in the
solutions and that the impact for them of both the downturn and
resulting remedial measures are taken in due consideration.

The deliberations within the Second Committee offer a unique
opportunity to translate the goodwill which emerged from the
High-Level Dialogue and the experience of the Global Forum into
guidelines for action, in order to help identify the most
appropriate follow up to the High-level Dialogue. IOM attaches
great importance to the deliberations here and looks forward to
playing an active role in this Committee.

Thank you for your attention.