Welcome

German statement delivered in the general debate of the International Migration Review Forum, May 20, 2022

20.05.2022 - Speech

Migration is one example of an important and complex question, which cannot be solved by individual UN member states alone, but which requires the joint efforts and cooperation of many member states as well as other stakeholders. The GCM is true “multilateralism in action”.

Many distinguished colleagues before me have already touched upon the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Let me just underline this point: We should all be aware that the Russian war is a flagrant violation of international law that has disastrous effects not only on Ukraine but also on global food security. Lack of food and of food security are crucial drivers for instability and forced displacement.

Another challenge that we still face is the COVID 19 pandemic that has reduced mobility on the labour markets across borders. It has made even more evident the need for access to health care for all migrants. We also have seen the crucial and brave role of migrant workers in the health sector at the front line of the pandemic response.

Key challenge of our time is the climate change. It is at the top of the German government’s foreign policy priorities. Climate change is already a big driver for migration and displacement, especially regional migration and internal displacement. We want to help communities secure their livelihoods, adapt to climate change assist in contexts of disaster displacement and foster prevention of displacement.

If migration is safe, orderly and regular – as the GCM aspires – then it benefits all: migrants’ countries of origin, countries of destination and migrants themselves - in all their diversity. As a result, the risks and dangers often associated with irregular migration will be mitigated.

For the benefit of all, gender responsiveness is and remains a guiding principle. We need gender responsive migration policies. That means to make sure that women and girls in all their diversity have rights, resources and equal representation in shaping migration.

Having mentioned the challenges we, migration and migrants are all facing I’m quite impressed to have heard what has been achieved since the adoption of the GCM.

In that sense I would like to underline the importance of continuing to promote and implement the “whole-of-society”-spirit of the GCM. Many contributions from civil society representatives are indispensable. We will continue to support this including through a follow-up with civil society stakeholders in Germany.

Like others we contributed with a number of pledges with which we want to contribute to reaching the GCM’s goals. They address issues such as gender-responsiveness, anticipatory action in the humanitarian response to migration and displacement as well as support to the Platform on Disaster Displacement..

We are a strong supporter of the Multi-Partner-Trust-Fund. We hope that efforts are successful to mobilize more participants and donors in order to make it even more representative and successful.

Germany believes that this week’s first international migration review forum is an important event. Much has been achieved – also because of the GCM. But we also still room to improve migration to be more beneficial for all. We will continue to strongly support this process.

Migration unites us all. It is an important adaptation mechanism, it creates linkages between our people, enriches our societies, makes us reflect on one another and ourselves and it builds bridges in a world that needs mutual trust and peace.

We are looking forward to the next step in our cooperation.

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