UNITAR Hosts a Preparatory Meeting on Migration and Refugee Issues
14 September 2016, New York, USA - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), with the sponsorship of the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations, hosted a preparatory meeting entitled, “All Aspects of the Migration Question: Preparatory Meeting prior to the High Level Plenary Meeting on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants”. The meeting discussed the background and context of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly Summit as well as related considerations of refugees and migrants.
The Preparatory Meeting opened with welcoming remarks from the Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Sebastiano Cardi. Ambassador Cardi highlighted the importance of these issues, noting Italy’s own experiences with refugees and migrants. Next to speak was H.E. Mr. David Donoghue, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations and Co-chair of the negotiation process of the draft document to be adopted on the 19 September 2016 during the 71st General Assembly of the United Nations.
He outlined his own work as it relates to the New York Draft Declaration for Refugees and Migrants. In outlining the draft declaration, he stressed the importance of striking a balance both between issues relating to refugees and migrants, and also between varying national interests. Closing out the opening remarks was Ms. Karen AbuZayd, who serves as the Special Advisor on the Summit on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants. She outlined the events surrounding the Summit beginning 19 September 2016, and was optimistic about the participation and dedication of member states to these issues. After welcoming comments from Mr. Marco A. Suazo, Acting Head of Office, UNITAR New York, a brief question and answer period was conducted.
The first panel, moderated by Mr. Suazo, covered the Global Compacts: For Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration and On Responsibility Sharing for Refugees. The panel opened with H.E. Mr. Juan José Gómez Camacho, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations. Ambassador Camacho began by covering the importance of including migrants in the discussion. He stressed the importance of viewing migrants in a positive light and bringing that perspective to the discussions for the upcoming Summit as well as in future negotiations. The floor was then given to Mr. Ashraf El Nour, Permanent Observer of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to the United Nations. Mr. El Nour outlined IOM’s work on migration and as well the desired outcomes of the summit and declaration for migration. On the topic of refugees, the speaker was Ms. Ninette Kelley, Director of UNCHR New York Office. Ms. Kelley illustrated the burden of refugees on both low income and high income countries, and then stressed the importance of the draft declaration in considering refugees a shared responsibility. The floor was then opened for questions.
The second panel, focusing on related considerations and avenues of implementation, was moderated by Dr. Colleen Thouez, Senior Advisor to UNITAR. The first speaker, Ms. Meg Jones, Chief of Economic Empowerment, focused on the importance of gender based approaches when discussing refugees and migrants. The conversation was continued by Mr. Kerry Neal, Senior Child Protection Advisor, UNICEF, who highlighted to concerns and issues related to children migrants and refugees. Mr. Neal stressed the importance of having a consistent response to vulnerable children. After a brief Q&A period, the panel continued with Mr. Riad Meddeb, Policy Advisor, UNDP. Mr. Meddeb stressed the importance of data collection in analyzing issues of refugees and migrants. He spoke about the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and how UNDP is integrating refugee and migrant concerns into these frameworks. The final speaker was Ms. Sarah Rosengaertner, Advisor to Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on International Migration. Ms. Rosengaertner focused on implementation of the draft declaration and the Global Compacts. She explained that prior to the adoption of the compacts in 2018, stakeholders such as state, civil society, private sector and the international community should develop their own avenues for implementation, in preparation of the Global Compacts’ adoption.
The event was web-cast worldwide and more than 70 participanted from delegations, NGO’s and UN agencies. There was also a special presentation by Alice Chun and Alison Thompson of Solight Design, who showed a brief video and discussed a solar light that was invented assist and save the lives of refugees in flight.
The event was closed by Mr. Suazo, thanking the panelists and the participants for attending. He also thanked The Permanent Mission of Italy for their support and then closed the meeting
Photos: Panelists and participants of the meeting.