REMARKS OF H.E. MR. NASSIR ABDULAZIZ AL-NASSER High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
At the High-level Summit to address large movements of refugees and migrants
Round Table 5:
“Global compact for safe, regular and orderly migration: towards realizing the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and achieving full respect for the human rights of migrants”
September 19, 15:00-18:00, CR3, United Nations Headquarters New York
Excellencies,
Co-Chairs of this round table,
First of all, I would like allow me to thank His Excellency Mr. Peter Thomson, President of the General Assembly and the UNSG for convening this high level summit at a crucially important time.
For too long, international migration was not center stage at the United Nations.
The situation has changed. The impact of mass movements of people is more pronounced than at any time since the end of WWII.
There is now a better understanding of the role of migration for sustainable development. There is also a growing recognition that migration has a rightful place as a top priority in UN deliberations and work as the Summit preparations have proved.
At the same time, migration has presented many societies with major policy dilemmas: many countries of the world, are becoming more mutli-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-lingual. This rich diversity sometimes is perceived as a challenge and sometimes as a gain and an added value.
The world today is more complex, more interdependent and more interconnected than ever before. International migration and development are closely interlinked. Migrants provide positive contributions to sustainable and inclusive development worldwide.
That being said, in September last year, Member States agreed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The positive role of migration was highlighted in the Agenda, pointing the way forward for the work we are doing today.
This year, the New York Declaration on Refugees and Migrants marks another major step forward. It will pave the way for the process of intergovernmental negotiations leading to the adoption of a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.
The Global Compact will set out a range of principles, commitments and understandings among Member States regarding international migration in all its dimensions. These principles will include the dignity of migrants, and the protection of their rights, among them the principle of non-discrimination under international law.
This to me and the organization I lead, is very important. For starters, the High Level Group had identified more than 10 years ago , Migration as one of the four main focus areas for the work of the Alliance of Civilizations particularly its emphasis on countering discrimination, racism , xenophobia and by default intolerance against migrants. Today, migration remains as relevant as it was a decade ago. Increasingly toxic and xenophobic narratives on refugees and migrants have spread in many parts of the world. Hence, fueling hatred and violence. Every day, everywhere, we hear of examples of the rise of populists and extreme nationalist movements.
Everyone, everywhere, must stand up against the animosity that so many refugees, migrants and minority communities face.
Parallel to the global efforts to secure safe and orderly migration, I believe that it is equally important to implement a communications strategy that includes the following elements :
Streamlining social media messaging and reinforcing positive narratives on migrants. Adopting an agile approach to countering misinformation about refugees and migrants. Explain long-term benefits of social inclusion and integrating migrants and refugees, who contribute to economic growth and drive sustainable development in their own countries and destination countries. Encourage social media users to call out hateful rhetoric and negative stereotypes of refugees and migrants both online and in their everyday lives.
Such strategy will only be effective when implemented in coordination with and the support of the national governments of those countries hosting migrants and refugees .
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations has been actively working on combating xenophobia and promoting social inclusion of migrants. In December 2015, we launched the #Spread no Hate initiative, which aims at countering hate speech and xenophobic narratives in the media in order to promote social inclusion of migrants in host societies. Our activity has continued, most recently including a side event on the margins of the 71st session of the General Assembly on “Combating xenophobic language in the media and fostering inclusive integration of migrants and refugees”.
We must break down the fears of the people in receiving societies. This begins by breaking the stereotypes on migrants and refugees that fuel racism and xenophobia. Cultural diversity is at the center of all social progress. We must promote diversity, tolerance, and understanding to foster social inclusion and achieve sustainable development. This is what the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations is committed to do through activities focusing on building cultural bridges and promoting peace and dialogue across communities and nations worldwide.
Besides our projects and advocacy, UNAOC will also take part in the UN global campaign to counter xenophobia initiated by the Secretary General. We must seize the opportunity to protect and dignify migrants and refugees.
Ladies and gentleman,
Through the New York declaration, we, Heads of State and Government and High Representatives, proclaimed: “Diversity enriches every society and contributes to social cohesion. Gathered today at the United Nations, the birthplace and custodian of these universal values, we deplore all manifestations of xenophobia, racial discrimination and intolerance. We will take a range of steps to counter such attitudes and behavior, in particular hate crimes, hate speech.”
Today, we declare our commitment to share the responsibility. Tomorrow, let’s show our strong leadership and tackle the refugee and migration challenge together.
Thank you for your attention.