Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and
gentlemen,

Thank you for the honour today to participate in this high-level
forum and share the views of the International Organization for
Migration (IOM) on issues related to the health of migrants and the
global HIV response.

Mr. President, there is today an increasing international
awareness of the linkage between migration and derived health
outcomes, also in the context of the HIV pandemic, humanitarian
emergencies, food insecurity and climate change. These are
challenging domains that touch on a wide range of issues, including
security, social welfare, global access to care and treatment,
human rights and sustainability of health services.

Health is influenced by policies of other domains, and health
has, in turn, important effects on the realization of the goals of
other sectors. We believe that an open and constructive
multi-sectoral dialogue based on shared and fundamental societal
values and principles - such as solidarity, integration, human
rights and participation - as well as sound public health
standards, can contribute to improving health outcomes for both
migrants and host communities.  Therefore, the inclusion of
public health, and specifically consideration for HIV and AIDS
prevention, treatment, health care, counselling and support that
avoid stigma and discrimination and promote inclusiveness and
global access for migrants and mobile populations, need to be
advocated within migration policies and practices.

While the large majority of countries have a national AIDS plan,
specific measures to address vulnerabilities inherent to the
migration process are often lacking. The inclusion of such measures
would offer the health sector the opportunity to engage other
sectors in an effective dialogue and partnerships, and to develop
much needed targeted policies, programmes and new technical
instruments.

Migrant workers in some parts of the world are often exposed to
particular risks and vulnerabilities in relation to HIV prevention
and treatment, even more so those in undocumented status. 
Effectively addressing HIV risks in the context of labour migration
and mobility requires the joint effort of multiple parties at
origin and destination countries, including governments, employers,
organizations of workers, communities and other social parties
representing or working with migrant populations and people living
with HIV.

Mr. President,

The issue of mobility of people living with HIV is of
significant concern for IOM. The Organization is engaged with the
UNAIDS-created International Task Team on HIV-related Travel
Restrictions to address the issue of non-discrimination and of
non-stigmatization in conjunction with HIV-related travel
restrictions.  It is hoped that the forthcoming report and the
recommendations of this Task Team will be given serious
considerations by those Member States that still maintain
HIV-specific travel restrictions.

The Global Forum on Migration and Development to be hosted by
the Government of the Philippines this coming October represents
one of the main processes flowing from the High Level Dialogue on
Migration and Development of the General Assembly.  Its agenda
focuses on how migrants can best contribute to development in
countries of origin and in host countries, when they are protected
and empowered socially, economically and in terms of their basic
human rights, regardless of their migration status.  It is
important that HIV and AIDS are included in such deliberations, in
Manila as well as in other regional and international
intergovernmental fora, such as the regional consultative processes
on migration.

Mr. President,

Let me conclude by saying that IOM looks forward to continue
working with Member States and many other partners on issues
related to HIV and migration, and more broadly on migration and
health issues for the well-being of migrants and host communities
alike. Addressing the HIV prevention and care needs of migrants
improves migrants' health, avoids long-term health and social
costs, protects global public health, facilitates integration, and
ultimately contributes to the stabilization of societies and their
social and economic development.

Thank you.