PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC—A 3-day regional workshop aimed toward growing a Caribbean method to a migration coverage acquired underway right here on Monday. Delegates have been instructed that it’s a “pivotal step” in the direction of fostering regional cooperation and solidarity in addressing the challenges related to migration.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Nationwide Safety Minister Fitzgerald Hinds instructed the opening ceremony that discussions over the following 72 hours will concentrate on a complete multi-sectoral method to migration, which is “central to the migration governance indicators.
“I perceive that these governance indicators are a capacity-building device that gives collaborating international locations with evidence-based coverage choices to strengthen the governance of migration points.
“Trinidad and Tobago stands able to contribute constructively to the event of a regional migration coverage that displays our collective values and aspirations and circumstances,” Hinds instructed the workshop, noting that he had been suggested that the Migration Governance Indicators evaluation for Trinidad and Tobago has now been accomplished. He was wanting ahead to receiving and reviewing the outcomes. Watch video
Hinds, who spoke of the a number of initiatives undertaken by the federal government right here to help migrants, significantly these from Venezuela, mentioned that Port of Spain is dedicated to working with the Guyana-based Caribbean Neighborhood (CARICOM) Secretariat, the Worldwide Group for Migration (IOM), all of the United Nations businesses, and CARICOM member states on the problem of migration.
“As we embark on this journey collectively, allow us to harness the experience, insights, and experiences that we have already got as we collect right here at this time to form the coverage framework in entrance of us.”
He mentioned that these ought to reply to not solely the present migration realities but additionally put together us for future challenges.
“Allow us to re-affirm our dedication to a CARICOM that stands united in its method to migration, recognizing the transformative potential whereas safeguarding the rights and dignity of the person.
‘Collectively, allow us to chart a path ahead that promotes regional integration and enhances the security and safety of all of the residents of the area .and, in fact, our guests,” Hinds mentioned, noting that within the context of regional integration, I’m very proud to say as a citizen of the area…will take the chance to congratulate the leaders of the area…for the tactical implementation of this regional integration”.
Hinds mentioned it will nonetheless require work, noting, “We may formulate the coverage, and we will do all these great issues, however behind that….there may be the necessity for work.
‘All of us must work, so on the finish of this convention, it’s hoped that every one of us as professionals…will cleared the path …as a result of we all know if we do the work, we will be ready for all of the challenges fairly anticipated.
The workshop, which is being held beneath the theme “In the direction of a Regional Strategy to a Migration Coverage within the Caribbean—Realizing A Shared Imaginative and prescient,” is being organized by the CARICOM Secretariat and the CARICOM Implementation Company for Crime and Safety (IMPACS), with technical assist from the IOM.
The US State Division and IOM are funding it, and it contributes to attaining Sustainable Growth Objective (SGD) 10, which goals to cut back inequalities between nations and peoples by way of protected, orderly, and common migration.
The CARICOM Secretariat mentioned this initiative marks a big stride in growing a typical regional coverage to strategically leverage migration as a improvement device for the Caribbean Neighborhood. It mentioned the workshop brings collectively Nationwide Focal Factors from the CARICOM member states and representatives of related regional and worldwide organizations.
It builds on the IOM’s Migration Governance Indicator (MGI) assessments and different consultations held with CARICOM’s nationwide governments in 2023 and ongoing in 2024.
The Secretariat mentioned that members would work to design a migration coverage framework that precisely displays the wants and ambitions of the folks of the Caribbean group. It added that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Growth, the International Compact for Secure, Orderly, and Common Migration (GCM), and the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas may also information deliberations.
In her handle to the ceremony, Alison Drayton, Assistant Secretary-Normal, Human and Social Growth, CARICOM Secretariat, mentioned, “It is rather evident that the area has been dealing with and can proceed to face varied challenges that have an effect on all the lives of our residents.
“Coming from local weather change, the final week has been an unwelcoming reminder of the challenges, nevertheless it compels us to hurry on elaborating the (migration) framework.
“I want to reiterate the Neighborhood’s dedication to work with all current and people but to come back on board to implement a forward-thinking regional migration that may assist handle varied features of regional migration and human mobility as decided by your priorities as member states,” she added. Watch video
IOM’s Coordinator for the Caribbean, Patrice Quesada, mentioned she is happy that the group’s work provides worth to the method.
“The MGIs have been carried out in shut collaboration with Member States; public servants in several authorities areas fed all related data into the assessments, offering information on nationwide insurance policies and practices regarding migration and figuring out the precedence areas for enchancment.
“One of many issues we discovered by way of the 12 assessments carried out within the Caribbean is that training and first well being care are already out there for non-nationals in most international locations. However, the MGIs highlighted the necessity to strengthen the coverage approaches to labor migration to make sure that migration is used to strategically fill gaps within the labor market, with out disadvantaging the residents of the receiving member state.”
The CARICOM Secretariat mentioned it’s anticipated that on the finish of the workshop, there might be a accomplished draft roadmap for member states, and the doc would come with vital milestones for growing and implementing a strong regional migration coverage primarily based on proof and a draft motion plan to advance migration governance within the area.
Obtain video – National Security Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Fitzgerald Hinds
Obtain video – Alison Drayton, Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development, CARICOM Secretariat
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