Minister of Labour Filatov to participate in the UN High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development in New York

MINISTRY OF LABOUR
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MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF FINLAND

Press release
13 September, 2006

The first UN High-Level Dialogue concentrating on international migration and development will be organised during the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday and Friday, 14-15 September. The EU representative in the meeting is Finnish Minister of Labour Tarja Filatov. The purpose of the High-Level Dialogue is to discuss the ways and means to maximise the development benefits of migration and to exchange experiences and information about the subject.

The Dialogue has been divided into different subject areas, each dealing with different dimensions of migration and development. In addition to the plenary meetings, the High-Level Dialogue will hold four interactive round tables with the following themes: effects of international migration on economic and social development; measures to ensure respect for and protection of the human rights of all migrants, and prevent and combat smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons; multidimensional aspects of international migration and development, including particularly remittances to countries of origin; and promoting the building of partnerships and capacity-building and the sharing of best practices, including the bilateral and regional levels. Minister of Labour Filatov will chair the round table handling the effects of migration on economic and social development. During the High-Level Dialogue, several side events related to the subject will also be held.

The EU approved in July 2006 a common position as a contribution to the preparations for the High-Level Dialogue. The EU underscores that the High-Level Dialogue should reach as concrete results as possible and strengthen the UN's operational capacity in migration questions. In development policy, the focus should be on how to minimise the negative impact of voluntary migration in the countries of origin. At the same time, also the benefits of work-related migration for the country of origin should be enhanced.

There have been no actual preparatory meetings held before the High-Level Dialogue, but the September meeting is preceded by preparatory events held in different parts of the world. In addition, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan published in June his report on international migration and development. The report proposes, for instance, establishment of an open, permanent global forum focusing on migration issues.

Further information: Deputy Director General Anne Sipiläinen, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 40 538 9514, Counsellor Ilkka Rentola, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 40 723 9731, Director Mervi Virtanen, Ministry of Labour, tel. +358 50 396 0160

More information about the UN High-Level Dialogue(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

Background information about international migration and development(Link to another website.)