Migration's Role in Sustainability & Climate Response: IOM Briefing | United Nations

Press conference by Ugochi Danielse, Deputy Director General of Operations for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), on the occasion of International Migrants Day (observed on 18 December). The senior official of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ugochi Daniels reiterated, “IOM firmly believes that well managed migration is the foundation for sustainable development and prosperity for all. And we're here to help Member States to achieve this objective.” The Organization’s Deputy Director General of Operations briefed reporters today (15 Dec) ahead of the International Migrants Day (18 Dec). The recently completed COP28 summit in Dubai provided the opportunity for IOM to advocate again for the impact of climate change on migrants to be a central part of this discussion. Promoting equal and inclusive partnerships with migrants, women, persons with disabilities and communities, while emphasizing the role of youth, is now more critical than ever, Daniels said. On the Loss and Damage Fund, the IOM senior official said, “crucially, this fund includes human mobility and in its scope of action. This means that we will have the opportunity to develop activities that help migrants, displaced people in their host communities are on the frontline of the climate crisis.” She continued, “Saving lives will always always be our priority. But we need to think long term and develop solutions that will ensure all have safe and dignified options decades from now. And to achieve this goal we have to start working now.” Daniels also said, “We have seen this year in terms of irregular migration is record historic levels being superseded.” “For instance, in the Americas, half a million people have crossed through the Darien Gap in Colombia. We've seen highest number of deaths, for example, and missing migrants in the Mediterranean,” the IOM senior official added. She also said, “We expect to see a continued upward trend in regular migration because of labor shortages in the so called global north and youthful population in the global south and also recognizing that last year, if you look at the data on remittances through formal and informal channels and diaspora investments, it was a trillion dollars. Far more than ODA (Official Development Assistance) and foreign direct investments combined.” She concluded, “remittances are the main financier of sustainable development at the household level in countries.” On this International Migrants Day, IOM aims to position migration as one of the solutions to global challenges, such as adapting to the impacts of climate change or providing better economic opportunities for communities.