The Global Migration Group stands ready to support...those that suffer indignity and persecution —Executive Director

UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka speaks at the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants on 19 September in New York. Photo: UN Photo

[As delivered]

Excellencies,

It is an honour to address this plenary as the 2016 Chair of the Global Migration Group. [The year] 2016 marks the Global Migration Group’s tenth anniversary and it is a crucial time.  

This group has grown both in size and relevance; two additional members joined this month.  

I am equally pleased that the International Organization for Migration—one of the founding members of the Group—has just joined the UN system as a related organization.

The Global Migration Group stands ready to support and to be with those that suffer indignity and persecution.  It stands to support Member States, civil society and stakeholders within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. First, in the implementation of existing commitments. This includes migration-related Sustainable Development Goals and targets, and those that will be made today in the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants. And second, in the processes leading to the adoption of a global compact for safe, regular and orderly migration, and the adoption of a global compact on refugees.

The Group was honoured to help with preparation for this Summit, and to contribute to the concept notes for the six roundtables being held today.  Furthermore, Group Members are working closely with the thematic working groups and task forces, to develop tools and guidance on many issues covered in the New York Declaration. 

These include: a Guidance Note on integrating migration and displacement in the United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks; Principles and Guidelines, supported by practical guidance, on the human rights protection of migrants in vulnerable situations within large and/or mixed movements; a Handbook for improving the production and use of migration data for development; the International Labour Organization’s Principles and Operational Guidelines on fair recruitment; and  the International Organization for Migration’s International Recruitment Integrity System.

These are critical tools because they will enhance our collective work. In particular we need them to help us identify the impact of all these movements on women and children, on men and girls, and on old people.

Our Members, individually and collectively, are committed to supporting Member States and all other contributors to the solutions to fulfill the aspirations of the New York Declaration.

 The Group’s approach to addressing large movements of refugees and migrants is people-centred, human-rights-based and gender-responsive.  This includes recognizing the cultural and economic value women and girl migrants and refugees contribute to societies, and recognizing the indignities they suffer. It is also about creating international and national policies that specifically protect and safeguard women and girls from gross violation of their rights.

 Thank you.

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