51³Ô¹Ï

People at both sides of an opened teller window
Over 200 million migrant workers sent US $647 billion back to their families in remittance-reliant countries in 2022.
Photo:? IFAD

Digital remittances towards financial inclusion and cost reduction

The 2023 observance theme focuses on the benefits that digital and financial inclusion bring when linked to remittances in helping remittance families achieve their own SDGs.

IFAD, as custodian of the IDFR, aims at ensuring support of the observance and dissemination of resulting actions in the framework of the decennial #FamilyRemittances Campaign 2020?2030: Support one billion people reach their own SDGs. In that timeframe, through a spotlight on yearly themes aligned to the global development agenda, the campaign aims at strengthening and guiding stakeholders in focusing on the new trends and priorities that make remittances count more.

The IDFR 2023-24 campaign focuses on promoting digital technologies to enhance financial inclusion in LMICs, and to work towards achieving the cost reduction target of 3% as mentioned in SDG 10.c.

The IDFR and the 51³Ô¹Ï commend the determination and resilience of the human spirit as evidenced by migrant workers. Further, the UN calls for governments, the private sector, development organizations and the civil society to promote digital and financial solutions for remittances that foster greater social and economic resilience and inclusion.

How to get involved

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  • You can start by building your own social media package, drafting a thematic newsletter for your network or organizing an online event. Take part in the global discussion by using the hashtag #familyremittances.
  • Think creatively on how you can bring this opportunity to the world¡¯s attention. Use personal stories and compelling photos to illustrate the reality of the one billion people directly involved in remittance market and services\who have direct experience with the use of remittances.
  • Take advantage of the IDFR official graphics on this following the .

Background

The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) is a universally-recognized observance . The Day recognizes the contribution of over 200 million migrants to improve the lives of their 800 million family members back home, and to create a future of hope for their children. Half of these flows go to rural areas, where poverty and hunger are concentrated, and where remittances count the most.

Through this observance, the 51³Ô¹Ï aims to bring greater awareness of the impact that these contributions have on millions of households, but also on communities, countries, and entire regions. The Day also calls upon governments, private sector entities, as well as the civil society, to find ways that can maximize the impact of remittances through individual, and/or collective actions.

The IDFR is now fully recognized at the global level, and included as one of the a key initiatives to implement the , also calling for the reduction of remittance transfer costs, and greater financial inclusion through remittances. The Day also promotes achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and furthers the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Remittance flows trends

In 2022, international remittances to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) amounted to US$647 billion. Such average monthly transfers of US$200-US$300 sent by migrant workers support many basic household and prove transformational for both households and local communities, enabling many families to achieve their ¡®own¡¯ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

However. the cost of transferring US$200 across international boundaries to LMICs is still high ¡ªaveraging 6.2% in the fourth quarter of 2022. Mobile providers offer the best rates (4.5%), but less than 1% of transactions are made through digital channels. Remittance services are now much quicker and less expensive thanks to digital technologies.

For further information visit: familyRemittances.org and IFAD.

2023 Events

Within the framework of the , hosted by IFAD, the UN Office of the Special Adviser for Africa and the World Bank from 14 to 16 June, took place at the UN Office at Nairobi on the last Summit day, on Friday, 16 June, with the presence of over 650 delegates from Africa and abroad.

The day saw the awarding ceremony for the IDFR Recognitions, given to the Central Bank of Kenya and the Central Bank of the Gambia. See further details on the .

award ceremonyaward ceremony

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Officially recorded remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are estimated to grow by 1.4% to $656 billion in 2023 as economic activity in remittance source countries is set to soften, limiting employment and wage gains for migrants, according to the World Bank¡¯s latest  released on 13 June 2023. This edition of the Brief also revises upwards 2022¡¯s growth in remittance flows to 8%, reaching $647 billion. 

¡°Making the most of remittances and diaspora investments can, paradoxically, curb the need for more to migrate. These flows are great contributors to the wellbeing of millions,¡± said ?lvaro Lario, the President the UN¡¯s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) at the opening session of the Global Forum on Remittances, Investment and Development (GFRID) in Nairobi.

an abstract illustration of people engaged in an event

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the 51³Ô¹Ï, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.