I. Introduction

Distinguished members of the IIEA,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

What an honor! What a joy! To be here in Ireland, to be in this national place of origin for so many fellow countrymen. As one of your distinguished Ambassadors once told me – “everyone has at least a few drops of Irish blood”. It is an honor to speak to you about IOM’s views on the challenges of migration, development and global migration governance.

On this International Migrants’ Day, I find myself speaking in Ireland, whose people’s collective memory of the human cost of migration reminds me of a current trend of “desperation migration” or “survival migration” – a form of mobility that resulted in the recent tragic drownings off the Mediterranean shores of Europe, or on the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean or the Sahara desert. It is all the more relevant and demanding, therefore, for me to speak here today about the imperative for global efforts to reduce the terrible human cost of migration – an imperative to improve migrants’ experience of mobility; an effort to combat the “globalization of indifference”. When I met with Pope Francis in October, he had just returned from Lampedusa. He spoke passionately about the need to save lives. He urged me on my trip to Lampedusa the next day to meet with the survivors – which I did – both there and in Malta.

After a brief scene-setter to remind us of the relevance of migration for us all, I would like to make three points:

1. First, to salute the broad consensus reached at the second UN General Assembly’s High-level Dialogue on Migration and development, and the follow up on the recommendations;
2. Second, the critical importance of the post-2015 development agenda, and IOM’s recommendations;
3. Third and lastly, the urgent need for a “high road scenario” approach to migration.

II. Scene setter

Human mobility – domestic and international – has grown to unprecedented levels: 232 million international migrants. Adding domestic migration, migrants comprise some 1 billion of the 7 billion people in the world. Already today, international migrants comprise a population group larger than the population of Brazil, and about the same as Indonesia, in other words, the world’s sixth largest “Nation.”

Many billions more are directly affected by migration -- whether migrants’ family members or the people who receive indispensable services and other support from migrants. The impact of global migrant remittances is enormous: at $400bn in 2012, and projected to rise to $515bn by 2015, the migrant remittances are several times greater than foreign assistance, and roughly equivalent to the total of Direct Foreign Investment (DFI); were migrant remittances, globally, to be calculated as GDP, this would make migrant GDP roughly equivalent to the GDP of Saudi Arabia.

And yet, demographic shifts and labour market transformation in both developing and developed countries will lead to an increased need to match people with jobs at all skill levels. By mid-century, the EU alone, for instance, will have a labour force of tens of millions shortage. Large scale migration is inevitable – in view of demographic trends --, necessary – if jobs are to be filled; skills to be available; and economies to flourish -- and desirable -- if well managed. Even China is an aging society in need of many skilled workers.

States increasingly agree on the need for a global approach. There was a remarkable degree of convergence at the Second UN GA High Level Dialogue on migration. The reasons are simple:  countries are increasingly “in the same boat”, in the sense that countries, increasingly, are simultaneously countries of origin, transit and destination for migrants.

Simply put, the migration mega-trend is too important to be neglected by development policy makers. The global nature of migration clearly requires a global response.

III. High Level Dialogue (HLD)

The second United Nations High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development (HLD) was held in New York on 3-4 October 2013 during the 68^th Session of the UN General Assembly. That this was only the second time the UNGA had discussed migration and development is in itself an achievement of sorts. The HLD took stock of progress since the first HLD in 2006. The broad consensus that migration is a key development driver was an indication of marked progress in dialogue and cooperation on migration.

Here, I should note Peter Sutherland’s key, primordial role in the creation and evolution of the Global Forum on Migration and Development. He is the father of global migration dialogue. The GFMD’s informal approach to consensus-building helped governments see that it is possible – even desirable – to discuss ways to collaborate on improving the quality of migration -- and that this collaboration does not undermine national sovereignty. This consensus-based approach, similar to that in Regional Consultative Processes, helps to marry the requirements of national sovereignty with individual’s desire to move and improve their lives.

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the High-level Dialogue Declaration. This negotiated statement calls on all relevant United Nations entities – as well as IOM, Global Migration Group (GMG) members and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on International Migration and Development -- to strengthen their collaboration and cooperation within their respective mandates to address more effectively the issue of international migration and development.

The HLD also reflected clear progress in addressing migration as a global phenomenon, particularly in the Secretary General’s recommendations for improving the quality of migration -- points which integrated IOM’s key recommendations, namely: 

1. Protect the human rights of migrants;
2. Lower the costs of migration - particularly excessive and unscrupulous remittance transfer and recruitment fees;
3. End human trafficking and smuggling of persons and other forms of exploitation to which migrants are vulnerable;
4. Address the plight of stranded migrants. Again, I should like to recognize that  Peter Sutherland’s leadership on this issue, with the governments of the Philippines and the US -- an initiative in which IOM has offered its technical expertise in identifying concrete operational measures;
5.  Improve the public perceptions of migrants (on which IOM is launching a global information campaign);
6. Integrate migration into the development agenda;
7. Strengthen the migration evidence base - for evidence-based policy;
8. Enhance migration partnerships and cooperation.

The HLD did not, unfortunately, establish any formal follow-up mechanisms, but we can all recognize that partnership and continuity will be vital in developing joint action -- which some are already pursuing. In addition, IOM is already following upon the Declaration with a range of new initiatives: 1) lowering the cost of remittance transfer (to 5% or lower); 2) IRIS; 3) New partnership with Gallup World Poll on the World Migration Report; 4) New Annual Report on deaths of migrant in maritime and desert crossings.

One example of partnership that addresses a number of these recommendations is the collaboration between IOM and the EU in response to the recent tragedies of Lampedusa and elsewhere in the Mediterranean. Saving lives must be the priority. The EU can also develop more durable solutions by expanding “mobility partnerships”, such as that recently signed with Morocco, as well as centres in countries of origin and transit where people can apply for asylum or re-unification without making perilous journeys.

I should like to encourage partnership in other areas as well - particularly on IOM’s initiatives on the International Recruitment Integrity System, and efforts to reduce remittance fees.

You will have noticed that integrating migration into development policy is also one of the recommendations in the Declaration. The main follow-up mechanism for this is that of the discussions surrounding the post-2015 UN development agenda, a golden opportunity for the leaders of the world to summon the political will to act on the HLD recommendations.

IV. IOM & UN Post-2015 Development Agenda Preparedness

To integrate migration into development policies, it makes sense to create global partnerships in the development agenda after the MDGs, with the goal of improving the development outcomes of migration. I will skip a detailed account of the processes for channelling inputs to this dialogue, and focus on the importance of practical measures that put migrant wellbeing at the center of development policy.  

Under a new global partnership approach within, a target on migration should clarify the benefits of a consensus-based system grounded in human rights -- a system that is less costly and more beneficial for all. The business case is clear: the benefits of migration partnerships are comparable to other proposed elements of a Global Partnership Goal – such as development friendly trade and controlling tax evasion – with returns in the range of USD 200 billion dollars per year.

Concretely, migration partnerships would achieve these returns by, inter alia:

• lowering the costs and barriers of mobility while upholding the dignity and human rights of migrants;
• lowering the cost of remittances; and
• increasing investment possibilities for diaspora.

Such a partnership should aim to facilitate international migration that is safe and enriching for migrants, operates under the rule of law and is consistent with international standards, is less costly in human, social and financial terms, and is more beneficial for all.

Is this kind of partnership feasible? Certainly. There are already strong and established forums on migration and development that could be built upon to create such partnerships, such as the Global Forum on Migration and Development, as well as Regional Consultative Processes on migration.

Migration should therefore be part of a new global partnership on development, similar to the current MDG8. Moreover, to have an agenda that truly leaves no one behind, we will need to have disaggregated data and targets or indicators under key development objectives, such as health, education and decent work. Disaggregated data will help ensure that migrants have equitable access to these key development factors and contribute to more effective policies and practices.

Once again, I would be remiss if I did not thank my good friend Peter Sutherland for what he is doing to contribute to support the States of the Open Working Group in their formulation of Sustainable Development Goals, in particular through his leadership of the Informal Group’s contributions on recommendations for specific targets and indicators. IOM values this informal group as an important mechanism for pursuing the mandate our own member states gave: to support States in their discussions on migration and development.

The process to establish the post-2015 UN Development Agenda comprises two phases: the initial global, UN system-wide consultation and information gathering phase and the concluding inter-governmental negotiation.

1. IOM has provided continued support to states in the first phase of discussions for the post-2015 Development Agenda:

• As GMG Chair in the second half of 2013, IOM has lead the Groups’ preparatory deliberations that resulted in a joint position paper on migration and the post-2015 process, published in September 2013;
• Following request by the Chief Executive Board in Spring 2012, IOM and UNFPA prepared, in collaboration with the GMG, a set of draft outcomes and recommendations on migration for consideration by the HLCP in preparation for the HLD. The publication “International Migration and Development: Contributions and Recommendations of the International System” collects the system-wide coherent proposals to the HLD and beyond. 

2. The UN Development Agenda deliberations have moved to the second phase of inter-governmental negotiations. IOM has a membership-driven mandate to support states in this process, based on IOM’s unique expertise and experience.

• At the 103^rd Council, MS passed a resolution on IOM’s role in the post-2015 Development Agenda that requests IOM, based on its “extensive expertise and field-based experience in aspects related to M&D”, to “inform and support Member States upon request in their participation on this matter in particular with discussions related to migration and development.”

IV. The High Road Scenario

We should not wait for global migration governance to make changes. Governments can start now to adopt elements of what I call a “high road scenario”. Here are a dozen such elements:

1. Centralise and simplify migration programmes: single government entity;
2. De-criminalize irregular migrants;
3. Assist migrants in crisis, including AVRR: a rights-based alternative to deportation;
4. Open the process for legal status to those who meet state criteria;
5. Make integration available as an option: a two-way assisted process;
6. Multiple-entry visas and dual citizenship laws;
7. Portable social security benefits;
8. Access to health services and education;
9. Labour migration multi-skill policy for all skill levels;
10. Circular migration programmes;
11. Public information and public education campaigns on migrant contributions to the economy and society;
12. An assisted voluntary return and reintegration program that allows failed asylum-seekers and those who have fallen on hard times to return to home with dignity in an orderly, safe and humane fashion.

Some of you may have heard me refer to these High Road elements before, and you will certainly hear me do so again. You will also have noticed that they are similar to the Secretary General’s recommendations. These are measures -- best practice, if you will -- that can have a strong impact on improving migrant and host population wellbeing through safe, orderly, dignified and humane migration.

IV. Conclusion

I began by explaining why migration is so vital to development and global governance. I then provided an overview of 1) the consensus that the HLD created around the need to integrate migration into development policy, 2) recommended options for making this integration happen through the post-2015 UN Development Agenda, and 3) measures to improve the wellbeing of migrants now, without waiting for 2015.

Ireland, drawing on its historical experience of migration, and the EU, through its member states and role in development aid, are both in a position to make a world of difference to the future of migration - our future and yours.

In closing, I would like to emphasize that good migration governance for safe, orderly, dignified and humane migration is also the responsibility of companies, the private sector. Once again, I take the example of Ireland, where so many companies have benefitted from an economy fuelled by the creative interaction of the Irish with talented migrants from all over the world, including returning Irish diaspora with their investments.   It is now time for companies - national and multinational -- to show that they are good corporate citizens and give back by promoting the wellbeing of migrants worldwide -- in recruitment, in transit, in crises, in remittances, in benefits and in retirement -- and not pretending that this task is for governments or international organizations alone.