1. Kim Hak-Su Executive Secretary, ESCAP
Executive Secretaries ~ 2nd Committee Dialogue Wednesday, 26 October 2005, New York International Migration in a Globalized World
Mr./Madame Chairperson
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
We continue with international migration as a key dimension of globalization.
People move across national borders to improve their life chances.
This trend is growing in scale and complexity.
It is closely associated with:
- widening inter-country disparities in opportunities and income;
- technological transformation, and economic globalization creating new demands for labour;
- improved transportation and communications facilitating mobility.
I shall cover the scale and forms of international migration, policy issues, and the UN’s response.
Kim Hak-Su
Executive Secretary, ESCAP

2. Contents 1. International migration: scale & forms 2. Policy issues
3. UN response

3. Number of international migrants in the world
This chart shows that, over a period of 3 decades, international migrants more than doubled from 82 million to 175 million.
Today, it is nearly 190 million.
Flows are growing from developing to developed countries where 63 per cent of migrants live.
Source: United Nations, Trends in Total Migrant Stock: The 2003 Revision.

4. International migration, various forms: Permanent settlement
Temporary labour migration
Forced migration
Irregular migration
Some forms: more visible
Irregular migration: increased
There are many forms of international migration. They may be permanent, temporary, forced or irregular.
Some forms are more visible in certain regions than others.
In Asia, the predominant form is short-term labour migration.
In Africa, it is refugee or forced movement, as well as labour migration.
(Other examples for information only:
- In Europe, the major concern in recent years has been asylum seekers.
- Traditional countries of immigration (such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US) continue to admit people for permanent settlement. These are countries whose unique founding principle is to admit migrants from abroad.)
Increased irregular migration in various parts of the world is linked with a tightening of migration controls.

5. Policy issues: Economic aspects
Countries of origin
+ Remittances
+ Reduction of unemployment
+ Migrants’ transfer home knowledge & skills
- Loss of skilled professionals
Countries of destination
+ Migrants as flexible labour force
+/- Impact on labour market
I turn now to policy issues.
International migration has tangible positive and negative economic effects.
For countries of origin:
There are micro- and macro-level benefits that outweigh negative effects.
In particular, remittances directly augment household incomes.
And, in many developing countries, remittances are a structural element of the economy.
For destination countries:
Migrant workers are a source of flexible labour.
Highly skilled migrants can advance technologies and economic vitality.
But, concern is often widespread about the impact of migration on the domestic labour market (wages, unemployment).

6. Financial flows to developing countries 1996-2004
This graph on remittance flows shows recent increases in workers’ remittances to developing countries.
Last year’s estimates showed that remittances reached some US$126 billion.
Interestingly, the graph highlights the remittances of migrants as a more important income source than ODA.
Source: Global Development Finance 2005: Mobilizing Finance and Managing Vulnerability.
Note: 2004 is an estimated data

7. Policy issues: Non-economic aspects
Migrants’ vulnerability
Migrants’ integration
Irregular migration
Smuggling of migrants & trafficking in persons
Migrant health
While much debate centres on the economic impact of international migration, social, criminal justice and health policy issues also warrant close policy attention.
The issues include discrimination and isolation in the host community, with social and cultural integration into the host society as an overriding challenge.
Growing human trafficking, especially of women and children, demands urgent collection action.
Also needed is greater attention to the health dimensions of international migration.

8. Migration policies At national level: More immigration controls
More incentives for highly skilled workers
Measures to enhance benefits
At regional level:
EU: free movement of workers
In other regions: limited progress
Concerns about migration have led many Governments to re-examine their migration policies.
At the national level:
There has been a tendency to tighten immigration controls.
A growing number of developed countries are introducing measures to attract highly skilled foreign workers.
Most recently, some developing countries have embarked on policies to maximize the benefits of migration.
At the regional level:
There has been intensified efforts to harmonize measures on migration management.
Well-known is the EU’s establishment of the right to free movement of workers within its borders.
In other regions under the common market or free trade group agreements, the EU idea has been discussed, but it has not advanced to the EU level yet.

9. Role of the UN Foster inter-governmental dialogue
Enhance coordination & collaboration on international migration
Establish legal norms & instruments
The international community increasingly views international migration as a pressing global issue.
The UN has contributed to fostering inter-governmental dialogue and increasing awareness of the issue by organizing conferences and meeting.
At present, a number of UN offices address international migration issues.
But, no single office in the UN system has a mandate to work on the full spectrum of issues.
Thus, enhanced coordination and collaboration among relevant bodies are necessary.
The UN has contributed to the formulation of global norms on migration management through the adoption of legal instruments.

10. Way forward
High-level dialogue on international migration and development in 2006
Time to work together!
The GA has decided that there will be a high-level dialogue on international migration and development during the 61st session next year.
The dialogue would be the first of its kind at the UN.
Its purpose would be to foster more interaction among Governments and other stakeholders on the multi-dimensional aspects of international migration and development.
The Global Commission on International Migration (GCIM) launched its report earlier this month (5 October). This was an important global step in addressing the issue.
Where do we go from here?
We need to keep up the momentum gained.
The international community must join hands for the success of next year’s dialogue.
Thank you.