Video – Event – International Forum on Migration & Development takes place in Marrakech to find « global solutions » to migrants issue (Vidéo Lahcen Haddad in English)
Participants at the Global Forum on Migration and Development, which began Wednesday in Marrakech, stressed the prominence of migration on the international political agenda, especially on the light of New York Declaration (September 2016), as well as the preparations for the global charters on both migration and refugees.
On the light of the forum’s opening session, presided by Morocco and Germany, the Minister Delegate to the Foreign Minister in charge of Moroccans residing abroad and immigration affairs, Abdelkrim Benatiq, stated that the eleventh session for migration this year coincides with the final preparations for the World Congress on Global Charters aimed at meeting orderly and organized migration.
The Forum is an exceptional space by all means for it joins together a number of governmental components and civil society groups interested in conducting scientific research related to migration issues in order to reach global solutions based on accurate scientific studies, Benatiq added; stressing that the Moroccan-German co-operation has been successful by all standards, for it can be set as a role model for North-South cooperation.
The migration issue remains one of the most prominent complications of the 21st century; as 258 million immigrants live outside their countries, which count for 3 percent of the world’s population, he pointed.
Benatiq also said that adopting the Global Charter on Migration shows the emergence of a new culture that focuses on a sense of responsibility that is shared between all countries.
He has also stressed that hosting this forum in Morocco represents a consecration of the humanitarian policy of migration launched by King Mohammed VI in 2013, which set the ground for settling issues related to sub-Saharan migrants, to help establish values of generosity, hospitality and solidarity with African countries.
The forum is an extraordinary space for government bodies, civil society and researchers, to share their opinions regarding migration issues, he said.
+ Five million Moroccans live abroad +
Benatiq pointed to the need to find effective global solutions regarding issues on migration and development, stating that over 5 million Moroccans live overseas, representing 13% of the Moroccan population and contributing with 7% of the country’s gross national income; 50,000 of whom have a high level of education (MA holders).
The Minister has also stressed the broad outlines of Morocco’s policy regarding migration, for it shall be based on cultural presence, moderate religious immunity, mobilization of energies, and engaging in the receiving countries’ culture.
For her part, the UN Special Representative for International Migration, Louise Arbour, stressed that the Global Charter for Migration is an opportunity to put the issue of migration at the heart of the international community’s concerns in order to highlight its objectives and exchange experiences and best practices, besides agreeing to the most practical policies in this area. In addition, the Forum is an important platform for cooperation in order to achieve more goals and put an end to the confusion in the field of migration by involving all actors.
On the other hand, President of the National Council for Human Rights, Driss El Yazami, stressed the importance of developing policies aimed for the social integration of migrants, through promoting the African cooperation in this field and adopting an approach based on human rights and gender equality.
The three-day debate will mainly focus on human rights, as well as gender and government approaches, while ensuring community participation through six round tables.
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