The Permanent Representative, Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen co-chairs an important roundtable at the UN on “Migration, Sustainable Development and the Post-2015 Development Framework”,

Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh co-chaired a roundtable meeting entitled, “Migration, Sustainable Development and the Post-2015 Development Framework” 24.01.2013 at the United Nations. The event was co-organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh and the Delegation of the European Union. The Permanent Representative as the co-chair of the event, delivered a speech at the event. Mentioning that the General Assembly will convene the second High level Dialogue on International Migration and Development in October, 2013, the Permanent Representative mentioned that today’s round table would contribute in sensitizing the member states of the Dialogue and its core theme so that some concrete suggestions emanate out to enrich the deliberations of the Dialogue with the result of some practical outcomes.

Referring to the process of globalization, whereby goods now move freely among countries and there is also now very little restriction in capital mobility and entrepreneurship, Dr. Momen said that the integration of labor markets still face insurmountable challenges. He lamented that while foreign capitals receive preferential treatment, in contrast, foreign labor often faces negative discrimination, insurmountable barriers and harassment. He urged the international community to undertake expeditious measures for liberalization of markets for the movement of service providers under mode 4 of GATS.

Observing that migrant workers bear high economic, social and political costs in their migration, the Permanent Representative recommended that efforts are needed to fully eliminate the exploitation and discrimination by way of ensuring fair treatment, decent work and legal recognition of their status. He also said that host countries must ensure unhindered transfer of funds to the countries of origin with minimal transaction costs and the sending countries should help migrants use remittance properly and invest back home in productive sectors.

The event was divided into two session. The session 1 was titled, “Assessing the effects of international migration on sustainable development”. Moderated by the Director, ILO office at the UN, MS. Telma Viale, it was addressed by Mr. Dilip Ratha, Lead Economist/Director, ILO Office at the UN, Mr. William Gois, Regional Coordinator, Migrant Forum Asia, and Mr. Graeme Hugo, ARC Australian Professorial Fellow, University of Adelaide. The session II was titled, “Identifying relevent priorities in view of the preparation of the post-2015 development framework.” Moderated by the senior Policy Adviser, UNDP, Mr. Paul Ladd, it was addressed by Ms. Beata Godenzi, Head, Global Program Migration and Development, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Mr. Jose Miguel Guzman, Chief, Population and Development Branch, UNFPA, and Ms. Kathleen Newland, Co-founder, Migration Policy Institute (MPI).

Apart from the H.E Permanent Representative, another chair of the event was the Ambassador Loannis Vrailas of the European Union.Press Release