Download - Regional Policy Frameworks/ Processes
Regional Policy Frameworks/
Processes
Regional Consultative Processes on Migration
Context
No tradition of multilateral cooperation on migrationGrowing appreciation of common challenges and complementary objectives of diverse stakeholderRegional cooperation on migration has outpaced multilateral efforts RCPs form part of a broader dynamic of regional cooperationMany regional economic, political and security institutions have added migration to their agendas
Regional Consultative Processes on Migration
Repeated regional meetings of States dedicated to discussing migration
Regional Consultative Processes on Migration
Purpose: formed specifically to address migration issues
Modus Operandi: - operate outside traditional institutional structures - flexible substantive focus according to Government priorities- informal and non-binding
• Objective: facilitate information exchange, dialogue and cooperation among States (sometimes involving regional and international organizations and civil society)
• Geographically-based or thematically organized
Regional Consultative Processes on Migration
The “RCP methodology” – examples:
Mix of high-level and technical meetingsCreation of thematic working groupsCollection and analysis of data, policies and best practices Websites for information gathering and exchange Observance of Chatham House rules / confidentialityJoint statements and declarations to solidify common understandings
Regional Consultative Processes on Migration
Principal achievements of RCPs
Promote – Sharing of experience, information and good practices;– Compilation and exchange of migration data;– Capacity building in migration management; – Regional cooperation on migration matters.
Contribute to better understanding of the migration phenomenonBuild confidence and engender trust through depoliticized foraFind common ground among States on migration issues
Regional Consultative Processes on Migration
Principal achievements of RCPs (continued)
• Create networks among counterparts• Can help States identify collaborative approaches
to common challenges• Can lead to de facto harmonization of policies and
positions• Can prompt policy change and enhanced policy
coherence at national level • Foster bilateral relationships
Have emerged over the last 20 years
RCPs now present in all regions of the worldMultilateral responses to transnational issues
RCPs in 1985RCPs in 1991RCPs in 1996RCPs in 2001RCPs in 2008
Evolution of RCPs over time
Principal RCPs Inter-Governmental Consultations on Asylum, Refugee and Migration (IGC)Budapest ProcessCross-Border Cooperation Process (Söderköping Process) Regional Conference on Migration (RCM or Puebla Process)South American Conference on Migration (SACM)Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa (MIDSA)Migration Dialogue for West Africa (MIDWA)Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) RCP (IGAD-RCP)Regional Ministerial Conference on Migration in the Western Mediterranean (5+5)Mediterranean Transit Migration Dialogue (MTM)Inter-Governmental Asia-Pacific Consultations on Refugees, Displaced Persons and Migrants (APC) Bali Ministerial Conference on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime (Bali Process)Ministerial Consultations on Overseas Employment and Contractual Labour for Countries of Origin in Asia (Colombo Process)Ministerial Consultations on Overseas Employment and Contractual Labour for Countries of Origin and Destination in Asia (Abu Dhabi Dialogue)
Regional Consultative Processes on Migration
Growing interest in exchanges between RCPs:
2002 – Roundtable on RCPs convened as part of IOM’s International Dialogue on Migration (IDM)
2005 – Workshop on RCPs convened by IOM and the Global Commission for International Migration (GCIM)
2009 – Global Meeting of Chairs and Secretariats of Principal RCPs convened by the Government of Thailand and IOM
RCPs and the Global Forum on Migration and Development
Roundtables on regional and inter-regional processes and fora at every GFMD since 2007 (foreseen to continue)Coordinated submissions to the GFMD by several RCPs Agreement that RCPs should retain their separate regional identities Recognition of opportunities for mutual learning between RCPs and the GFMD: shared state-led, non-binding, informal format Willingness to strengthen interaction between RCPs and GFMD
IOM’s role in RCPs
As partner or observer organization
Through participation in expert capacity (e.g. research and information dissemination, policy advice, capacity-building and technical cooperation, and project implementation…)
As technical secretariat (or by providing technical or logistical support to the RCPs’ own secretariat)
As initiator of some RCPs
By conducting research on RCPs (e.g. Migration Research Series No. 3, Berne Initiative Studies…)
Conclusion
Legal Frameworks
• Clearly identifiable areas where international community and states are in agreement that sovereignty should be limited– Human rights– Protection of refugees– Combating trafficking
and smuggling in human beings
– Trade (GATS Mode 4)
Policy Frameworks
• Cooperation in broader fields of mutual interest for all states involved in migration process– Migration and
development– Labour migration– Addressing irregular
migration– Integration– Migration data– Technical cooperation
and assistance– Capacity building
Conclusion
Conclusion• Legal and policy frameworks are not
mutually exclusive• Migration is a transnational
phenomenon– Unilateral policies cannot be fully
effective– Cooperation is needed at all levels
(global, regional, bilateral) between countries of origin, transit and destination
– Important role of other stakeholders• Employers’, trade unions, migrant
associations (including diaspora groups), NGOs
International Organization for Migration
Regional and Global
Migration Governance