MIKTA countries Joint statement to the 107th Council of the International Organization for Migration. Geneva, 5 to 8 December, 2016

Thank you Mr. Chairman,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of all MIKTA members: Mexico, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Turkey and Australia.

At the outset, allow me to congratulate Ambassador Mr. John Paton Quinn for assuming this responsibility as Chair of the Council Bureau, and recognize the former Chairs, Ambassadors Geert Muylle and Bertrand De Crombrugghe, former Chairmen for their service to this organization and to congratulate IOM for its 65th Anniversary and its formal recognition within the UN system.

Mr. Chairman,

We, MIKTA, are a group of countries which share common values and interests that transcend our diversity. We have found synergies from our own differences to become an innovative and influential voice that shapes international opinion and action to the benefit of all. With regard to migration, we are engaged in facilitating a safe, regular and orderly mobility of people, and in promoting an approach that recognizes the valuable contributions of migrants to the development of countries of origin and destination.

The scale of global displacement is profound. We need a sustained and multifaceted effort to address the complex drivers of mass migration, whilst acknowledging the economic and cultural bounty brought by migrants.

In this context, we welcome the process to develop a Global Compact on a safe, regular and orderly migration. And, in that context, we consider that the IOM, as the global lead international organization on migration, is best placed to coordinate its development.

Mr. Chairman,

IOM is a truly global organization, which is responding to prolonged and recurrent crises, from conflict to sudden-onset disasters and working in collaboration with relevant stakeholders such as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and also showing global leadership through development and sharing of best practice guidelines on migration, such as the Migration Governance Framework.

We, MIKTA countries, have affirmed our commitment to address the growing challenge of displacement around the world and to advance the outcomes of the World Humanitarian Summit, hosted by Turkey in May 2016. Humanitarian crises are increasingly complex and protracted, with over 65 million people forcibly displaced because of conflict and persecution. It is vital that the world finds ways to ensure that the needs and rights of its displaced people are met, including through assisting refugee hosting countries.

At the UN High Level Summit on Addressing Large Movements of People and the Leaders’ Summit on Refugees, along with the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly, we pledge to work constructively together and with our international partners over the next two years to develop and agree the Global Compacts on Refugees and Migration.

We consider that the political will expressed in the New York Declaration, of which we hope is reflected in the Global Compacts on Refugees and Migration, have the potential to make a real difference to the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. The Global Compacts provide the international community with the opportunity to create a more coherent, comprehensive and better coordinated approach to the issue of international migration, strengthening international cooperation among all stakeholders, and the appropriate engagement of the United Nations on migration.

We also acknowledge the importance of building resilience in disaster affected nations, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and to enhance disaster risk reduction. We will work together to assist communities building resilience to natural shocks, by which we can not only reduce the cost of disasters, but also address some of the factors that lead to forced migration and mass displacement.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, we MIKTA countries remain committed to working closely with IOM with a view to responding to the global migration issue more efficiently, and to contribute to the development and adoption of a Global Compact for safe, orderly and regular migration.

Thank you.