The Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States

United Nations, New-York: 15 September 2006

Madam Chairperson, Secretary-General, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honour and privilege for the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States to take the floor at this important High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development. This Meeting is at an opportune time, since the global debate on migration is high on the agenda of most countries and regions.

The ACP Group of States is the largest organised entity for developing countries with a membership of 79 covering the African continent, Caribbean and Pacific regions, and with an estimated population of over 700 million. It has as one of its core objectives the alleviation of poverty. This objective, coupled with the promotion of sustainable development, is also at the heart of our Cotonou Partnership with the EU, which interlocks 103 countries and represents the most advanced and innovative North-South formalised development cooperation arrangement.

Today, we are gathered here at a time when the global community faces numerous challenges, together with related effects and transformations at continental, regional and country levels. In a global partnership centred on human dignity and mutual respect, issues of Asylum, Migration and Mobility are central to the development of our countries, and indeed are cross-cutting issues to almost all the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Madam Chairperson,

In addressing those challenges, the ACP Group would like to ensure that migration positively influence development. The ACP Group of States is considering these issues in a coordinated manner within its institutional framework. In this regard, actions taken and future initiatives of the ACP Group are captured in the ACP Position on International Migration and Development, which has been distributed.

I wish to pose a few questions regarding the mobility of people. How many of us are living outside our countries of birth? How many of us are enticed or forced to migrate and eventually find means of subsistence outside our countries of birth? How many of us are willingly leaving our countries of birth to get a better chance to study, work, and settle in a new environment?

All these questions should not remain unanswered, and as such, the ACP Group is actively working at defining a common strategy that is people–focussed, based on alleviation of poverty and the eventual promotion of sustainable development. I am also a migrant, and so are most of us. Therefore, we should all endeavour to develop policies and programmes that are focussed on the well-being of our peoples. This is why the focus of the global debate on migration and development is so important - to look at possible solutions in a new, innovative and, overall, positive way.

Madam Chairperson,

The ACP Group is of the view that the UN High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development should not be an end in itself, but rather an important juncture of a continuing process. The continuing debate on migration and development should focus on:

• Improved integration of migration issues into development policy and planning;
• Capacity building to develop and manage migration policies;
• Ensuring an inclusive approach to migration, including the involvement of Non-State Actors (NGOs, business, trade unions and civil society);
• Greater utilization of the development potential of diasporas;
• Promotion of global dialogue on migration issues, including regional consultations and North-South exchanges; and
• Greater commitment to protect the basic human rights of migrants, refugees and displaced persons.

The ACP Group believes that the UN High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development has steered an important process that involves Governments, Institutions, UN Agencies, and international, regional and local NGO’s, and attracts international attention to migration and development. A global and multi-disciplinary approach to migration and development issues is the only way forward to ensure that the positive and developmental elements stemming from migration can be further enhanced. Successful participation in the Global Migration Forum requires an on-going exchange of information and best practices among countries of origin, transit and destination, taking into account the ever-changing nature of human migration.

Madam Chairperson,

In conclusion, the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States is committed to addressing the critical issues of migration in relation to sustainable development, and by implication addressing the MDGs.

All endeavours to develop migration policies and programmes should be focussed on the well-being of our peoples. Let us join hands, and together formulate concrete policies and programmes on migration and mobility that are people-focussed and indeed will complement efforts to effectively address poverty and the challenges of sustainable development.

The ACP Group is convinced that its close collaboration with other actors, and participation in this important dialogue will result in policies and programmes that are in the interest of all parties involved, and most importantly, the peoples of ACP States.

I thank you for your attention.