International & Regional Cooperation on Migration Dr. Colleen Thouez, Head Unitar New York 13 June 2008
Context and Characters: Where do we go from here? History of Dialogue
3 Words of Introduction: International Migration Policy International regime: Implicit or explicit principles, norms, rules, and decision-making procedures around which actors' expectations converge in a given area of international relations. (Stephen Krasner 1989:2) Governance 2-pronged: Normative legal framework & Institutional framework Timeline for international migration policy discussions: 15 years (short!) This is a nascent field.
4 Outline of Landmarks on IMP Timeline (1994-2008) ICPD (1994) Berne Initiative (2001) Doyle Report to SG (2002) Global Commission on International Migration (2004-2005) GA High Level Dialogue (2006) Global Forum on Migration and Development (2007 --)
5 Regional Consultative Processes (RCPs) Main characteristics: (1) informality they are a process, not an institution, meaning that working toward an eventual goal is an important aspect of the process; (2) openness as agreement on all issues is not required, all options can be explored openly, thus increasing the number of possible solutions to issues; (3) efficiency as there is a minimum administration, direct communication is more easily possible between high level officials and experts in regional consultative processes. IGC Budapest Puebla SACM MIDSA MIDWA 22 RCPs in the World Today; Nearly all countries belong (Klekowski von Koppenfels, 2001:9).
6 Regional Consultative Processes for Africa: the MIDSA (Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa 2000) and the MIDWA (Migration Dialogue for West Africa 2001), the IGAD Regional Consultative Process on Migration for the East African Member States of IGAD ( 2008); for Central and Oriental Asia: the Bali Conference (2002), the Manila Process (1996) or the Issyk-Kul Dialogue (2000), the Regional Consultative Process on the Management of Employment and Contractual Labor for Countries of Origin in Asia (Colombo Process), the Inter-Governmental Asia-Pacific Consultations on Refugees, Displaced Persons and Migrants (APC), the Abu Dhabi Dialogue for countries of origin in Asia and countries of destination in the GCC + Malaysia and Singapore ( 2008); for North America: Latin America and the Caribbean, the South American Conference on Migration (SACM, Lima Process 1999), the Regional Conference on Migration (Puebla Process 1996); and, for Europe: Regional Ministerial Conference on Migration in the Western Mediterranean (5+5 Mediterranean Dialogue), Cross-Border Cooperation Process (Söderköping Process), the Dialogue on Mediterranean Transit Migration (MTM), the IGC (Intergovernmental Consultations on Asylum, Refugee and Migration Policies in Europe, North America and Australia 1985) and the Budapest Process (1991-93).
7 Regional Consultative Processes Context in 1984 Increasing levels of irregular migration Siege on asylum regime in Europe Growing xenophobia First two RCPs: IGC in 1984 Budapest Process in 1992 Characters Austria, Switzerland, Germany Hungary.. UNHCR, ICMPD First RCP emerges in 1984 J. Widgren
8 Regional Consultative Processes Future Focus based on GFMD Recommendations (2007): Intra-regional dialogue Integrating development into agenda: Promote greater sharing of information collected by RCPs Evaluate RCP achievements and impacts in migration and development Involve development ministries of developed and developing countries in RCPs Reinforce donor support in migration and development activities of RCPs Promote more formal links between RCPs and other regional for a Create communication and interaction between RCPs and GFMD
9 Outline of Landmarks on Timeline (1994-2008) ICPD (1994) Berne Initiative (2001) Doyle Report to SG (2002) Global Commission on International Migration (2004-2005) GA High Level Dialogue (2006) Global Forum on Migration and Development (2007 --)
10 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Cairo, 5-13 September 1994 PoA, Chapter X the first global blue print outlining how States and concerned international institutions should address the multiple causes, consequences and longterm implications of international migration and human displacement. ICPD Programme of Action Chapter X: Migration s Rio Declaration? A) international migration and development; B) documented migrants; C) undocumented migrants; and D) refugees, asylum-seekers and displaced persons.
11 Berne Initiative Berne Switzerland, July 2001 A consultative process was launched in order to assess the desirability and feasibility of enhancing inter-state co-operation on migration management through the formulation of a set of guiding principles based on international law and best migration management practices. Common Understandings for the Management of International Migration
12 Population and Development in the UN System 3-tiered review mechanism: General Assembly ECOSOC Commission on Population and Development Entities/Ind. dealing with population issues: UN Population Division UN regional commissions UNFPA UN specialised agencies, programmes and funds, (eg. WHO, UNCEF, World Bank) SG Special Representative for Migration (2006)
13 UN Doyle Report New York, December 2002 How can the UN strengthen its role? Option 1. Create a new agency Option 2. Designate a lead agency from among existing agencies Secretary-General Kofi Annan s legacy Option 3. Bring IOM into the United Nations system Option 4. Issue-Centred Multilateral Agreements Option 5. Enhanced Coordination and Leadership Option 6. A Global Commission or Panel Study
14 Global Commission on International Migration (GCIM) Geneva, January 2004: Final Report (2005): Migration as a choice Migrants as contributors to development Readmission obligations Social cohesion, cultural diversity: role of CSO Strengthened legal HR framework Jan Karlsson (S) Mamphela Ramphele (S. Africa) Francisco Alba (Mexico) Aicha Belarbi (Morocco) Sharan Burrow (Aust.) Joris Demmink (NL) Nicholas Dimarzio (US) Mary Garcia Castro (Brazil) Sergio Marchi (Canada) Manuel Marin (Spain) Mike Moore (NZ) Mary Robinson (IRL) Nafis Sadik (Pak.) Reda Shehata (Egypt) Nand Kishore Singh (I) Rita Sussmuth (G) Patricia Sto Tomas (Ph.) Valery Tishkov David Wheen (Aust.) 3 tier governance: shared responsibilities Capacity, coherence and cooperation
15 World Bank UN HQs Core Group of States Co-chairs: Switzerland Sweden IGC Geneva Migration Group IOM ILO UNHCR UNHCHR UNOCD Commissioners Co-chairs: M. Ramphele J. Karlsson UN Secretary General Berne Initiative GCIM Secretariat Director: R. Jenny Policy & Research: J. Crisp Experts Civil Society Club of the Hague Administration External Relations Policy Development and Research Head: J. Crisp Private Sector Stakeholders Consultations Regional Hearings Media Africa Americas Asia- Pacific Europe Mediterranean Addis Abeba February 2005 Mexico City May 2005 Manila May 2004 Budapest Nov. 2004 Rabat Sept. 2004
16 UN High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development New York, 14-15 September 2006: States led Operating outside the UN Widespread support for a Global Forum as a venue for discussing issues related to international migration and development in a systematic and comprehensive way
17 Global Forum on Migration and Development Brussels, July 2007 Manila, October 2008 Achievements: GFMD I: National FPs GFMD II: Evaluation Greece, 2009 Argentina, 2010 Spain, 2011 Morocco, 2012
Where do we go from here? 18 Questions for further reflection. What is next landmark? What is vision for GFMD? What will be its legacy? Who and what will shape this trajectory? What can we learn from other governance models? What can we learn from environment, trade regimes?