Welcoming Remarks by UN Resident Coordinator Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi for International Migrants Day Event

I am delighted to welcome you all to our commemoration of International Migrants Day 2023 in Türkiye, as well as my first in the country.

In many countries, the word “migration” can often spark controversy and debate, ignite fear and unease. Today is an opportunity for us to rethink this viewpoint.

Throughout history, migration has been an expression of individuals’ will to overcome adversity and to attain better lives for themselves. Migration cuts across every sector: governance, development, human rights, gender, the environment, and so much more. This year, most prominently, we witnessed how migration and disaster intersect. As we believe at the UN, safe, orderly and regular migration leads to the improvement of socioeconomic conditions at countries of origin, transit and destination. Despite this, many people on the move continue to face vulnerabilities. It is imperative for us to cooperate and work toward alleviating these vulnerabilities.

I would like to commend the Government of Türkiye for being one of over 30 Champion Countries of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), which is the first inter-governmental agreement covering international migration. At its heart, the GCM aims to ensure that migration is done with dignity. This means that those who migrate do so out of choice, not out of necessity and that the rights of all migrants are respected.

This endeavour begins by shaping the way we, as a society, view migration. What is our perception of migrants? How do we understand their realities? Do we empathize with their needs and experiences? This is where art enters the picture. For years, art has brought powerful stories of migration to diverse audiences, through images that provoke thought amongst people of every culture. In this light, it is fantastic that we have a photo exhibition this evening, as well as the screening of a documentary teaser. Through art, we reflect on both the opportunities and challenges of migration as we collectively aim to rebuild following the February earthquakes. Let us walk away this evening with deeper appreciation that the migrants you see in the photos or in the teaser are no different from the rest of us. Let us put a human face to the story of migration. When we put a face to this story, we reinforce our commitment to ensuring it is truly done with dignity.

On behalf of the entire UN System in Türkiye, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Government of Türkiye for its leadership and commitment to addressing the needs of migrants and carrying out an efficient, human rights-based system of migration governance. I reaffirm the UN’s commitment to supporting these efforts in line with our shared values and principles.

Of course, thank you to IOM for organizing this very interactive and informative event, with the objective of recognizing the unique contributions migrants make and promoting migration for the benefit of all.

Finally, I would like to thank you all for taking time out of your schedules to attend this event. I have high hopes that, after tonight, we will continue to engage in fruitful discussions on migration.