51³Ô¹Ï

Strengthening cooperation on migration and refugee movements in the perspective of the new development agenda

New York 

30 September 2015

Overview

The 51³Ô¹Ï Secretary-General will convene a side event on migration during the High-Level segment of the 70th Session of the 51³Ô¹Ï General Assembly. The aim is to encourage enhanced cooperation and collective action in dealing with the problems and challenges of migration and human mobility, including mixed movements involving migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees. Facilitating safe, orderly and responsible mobility is also a key component of the post-2015 development agenda, which requires coordinated action not only among States, but also at all levels of Government, and with a series of non-governmental stakeholders, to ensure no one is left behind.

Convinced of the need for collective approaches, underpinned by universal principles of international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law, and based on the eight point agenda for action presented to the General Assembly’s 2013 High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development (A/68/190), the Secretary-General will share his views on the key elements of such a global partnership and comprehensive approach to migration and refugee flows.

The High Level Side Event will also provide an important opportunity for member States to bring together different policy areas related to migration and refugee flows, and discuss enhanced cooperation across these areas. This includes the implementation of migration and integration policies, and the creation of adequate channels for orderly, safe, and regular migration with full respect for human rights, as well as the humanitarian admission of refugees, whilst improving cooperation and effectiveness in law enforcement operations aimed at combatting transnational organized crime.

Information materials

Inputs

 

Programme

The 51³Ô¹Ï Secretary-General will chair the event. The 51³Ô¹Ï Deputy Secretary-General will take over the chair once the Secretary-General leaves.

30 September 2015

15:00 – 18:00

Opening segment

Mr. António Guterres, 51³Ô¹Ï High Commissioner for Refugees will make short remarks and introduce the Secretary-General.

Four Panellists will make remarks from the podium

 

General debate
The general discussion will continue with statements from Member States that have placed their name on the speaker list. Civil society will deliver one joint statement also.

 

Discussants
A number of discussants will intervene at different points into the General Debate to present the regional, development and humanitarian perspective.

 

To discuss the European perspective

  • H.E. Ms. Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

 

To discuss the refugee and humanitarian perspective

  • H.E. Mr. Oldemiro Marques Balói, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mozambique, as Chair of the UNHCR’s Executive Committee

 

To discuss the development perspective

  • H.E. Mr. Shahidul Haque, Foreign Secretary, Bangladesh as upcoming Chair of the Global Forum on Migration and Development

 

To discuss the South East Asian Perspective

  • H.E. Mr. Le Luong Minh, Secretary-General of the Association for South East Asian Nations

 

To discuss the African perspective

  • H.E. Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, Commissioner for Social Affairs, African Union Commission

 

To discuss the Arab dimension

  • H.E. Dr. Badre Eddine Allali, Under-Secretary-General for Social Affairs, League of Arab States

 

To discuss specific operational issues

IOM, OHCHR, OCHA, UNODC, ILO, UNFPA

 

Closing segment
Brief remarks on migration and refugee movements within the UN intergovernmental process 

 

Summary of discussions and final remarks

 

General debate statements

 

Secretary-General Press release

21 September 2015

Secretary-General, Concerned at Deteriorating Situation of Refugees, Migrants across Europe, Urges States to Adhere to International Obligations

8 September 2015
In Phone Calls with European Heads of State, Secretary-General Stresses Collective Duty to Respond Humanely as Refugees Arrive, Many Fleeing War, Violence

28 August 2015
Lamenting Recent Migrant, Refugee Deaths, Secretary-General Appeals to Governments for Bolstered Efforts Ahead of Global Meeting at UN Headquarters

UN News Centre

  • In Focus Migration and Refugees

Websites