“Migration is an expression of the human aspiration for dignity, safety and a better future. It is part of the social fabric, part of our very make-up as a human family”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, 2013
Top Photo: UNHCR/Ivor Pickett Bottom Photo: UNICEF/Ashley Gilbertson VII
To help you learn more about the United Nations and the issue of migrants and migration, the Dag Hammarskjökd Library has compiled the following relevant resources.
International Law
The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, A/RES/45/158 was adopted by the General Assembly on 18 December 1990. Its primary objective is to protect migrant workers and their families, a particularly vulnerable population, from exploitation and the violation of their human rights.
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The United Nations Sustainable Development Summit 2015′s outcome document “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” declared “We recognize the positive contribution of migrants for inclusive growth and sustainable development” (para. 29). Migration-related targets were also included in UN’s post-2015 sustainable development goals.
Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Target 8.8: protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments of all workers, including migrant workers, particularly women migrants, and those in precarious employment
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies
General Assembly Actions
During the 70th session of the General Assembly’s General Debate, the Secretary-General convened a high-level side event on migration and refugee movements, Strengthening cooperation on migration and refugee movements in the perspective of the new development agenda.
There have been two High-Level Dialogues on International Migration and Development held by the General Assembly on 3-4 October 2013 and 14-15 September 2006.
Resolutions and reports of the General Assembly on migrants and migration are available online.
UN Agencies and Programmes
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) - Migrants includes the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants and Committee on Migrant Workers
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) - Asylum and Migration
Department of Economic and Social Affairs - Population Division - International Migration
Other Resources
Global Migration Group (GMG) - inter-agency group established by the United Nations Secretary-General in early 2006
Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) - United Nations Member States initiative
International Organization for Migration (website) - UN-affiliated intergovernmental agency
Further Reading
UN Chronicle - Migration
This issue featured contributions from twelve leading experts from within and outside of the United Nations system, and looked at the topic of international migration and development.
