Launch of the UN Network on Migration in the Maldives

Excellencies,

Honourable chief guest,

Distinguished government representatives and the development partners,

Representatives from the civil society, private sector, academia, media, and

Colleagues from the UN family,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is with great honour that we convene this important discussion with national leadership and institutions  committed to making migration safe, orderly, and regular for all, to inaugurate the UN Network on Migration in the Maldives.

Adopted in 2018, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, also known as GCM, is the first inter-governmentally negotiated agreement covering all aspects of migration, with its foundation being in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Being committed to the cause of ensuring safe migration for all, the Government of Maldives voted in favour of the GCM.

To assist the Government of Maldives with the implementation of the GCM, the UN Maldives established the UN Network on Migration in the Maldives in July 2020. As Resident Coordinator, I have the pleasure of coordinating the UN team’s expertise to advance more effective migration management support to our Government partner through tailored support, sensitive to the Maldives’ unique migration context. As the UN’s migration agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will act as the Secretariat of the UN Network on Migration in the Maldives.

The UN Network on Migration was established   to ensure effective, timely and coordinated UN system-wide support, at country, regional and global levels, to Member States in the implementation, follow-up and review of the GCM, and to collectively address migration-related challenges in a way that prioritises the wellbeing of migrants in countries of origin, transit and destination.

The Network’s will help mobilise relevant external partners, including the Government, civil society, migrant communities, the private sector, trade unions, national human rights institutions, academia and the media in pursuit of the protection of vulnerable migrants. A UN Maldives approach will ensure that the wellbeing of migrant communities residing in the country will be considered in migration-related programming.  

Migrant workers have provided an essential labour force in key industries such as hospitality and construction that have attributed to the growth of Maldives’ economy. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the challenges migrants face, such as human trafficking, labour exploitation, and difficulties in accessing healthcare and accommodation. Protecting the human rights of migrants is essential to Maldives’ socio-economic development, while securing the well-being of all its residents. With the launching of the UN Network on Migration, the audience can expect a strong, united and efficient response from the global UN family in all aspects of migration.  An effective migration approach is a key element, particularly for a small country with big economic ambitions, in all policy making and efforts towards achieving sustainable development.  

The Network will actively engage with migrant communities, representatives of the diplomatic community, civil society, national human rights institutions, the private sector, the media, and other relevant stakeholders to tackle human trafficking, labour exploitation, climate-induced displacement, and other migration challenges in the country.

I express my sincere gratitude to the Government of Maldives for its commitment towards implementing the GCM. The country has participated in, and submitted its updates to the 2021 Asia-Pacific Regional Review of Implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. I am sure that you will also hear more about the multi-track initiatives underway, which have been accelerated following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Honourable Foreign Secretary, Excellencies, distinguished guests, and colleagues, thank you for joining us today.

I am looking forward to hearing the ideas and considerations of our panellists, and to working with you all to support the Maldives in its efforts to regulate and strategically manage its migration policies.  You can continue to rely on the United Nations as your partner in this important work.

Thank you.