UNGA 73: Globalization and Interdependence

 

 

73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Second Committee
Agenda Item 22. Globalization and Interdependence

Carla Mucavi, Director, FAO Liaison Office with the United Nations to New York

 

Thank you for giving me the floor.

On Monday, FAO launched the 2018 edition of the FAO’s flagship publication, the State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA), which focuses on migration and its linkages with agriculture and rural development.

Migration, despite the challenges it may present, is part and parcel of economic, social and human development and a means of reducing inequality both within and between countries.

At different points in their development, all countries will be areas of origin, transit or destination – sometimes a combination of the three – for international migration.

However, migration should be a choice, not a necessity. In the reality, many individuals and families migrate from rural areas, as they see no other viable option for moving out of poverty within their own communities.

The drivers of migration are complex and intertwined. People migrate for a number of reasons, such as rural poverty and food insecurity, lack of employment and income generating opportunities, limited access to social protection, as well as conflict, natural disasters, and political instability.

The drivers and impacts of migration are closely linked to FAO’s global goals of fighting hunger, reducing rural poverty, and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.

As migrants originate mostly from rural areas, investing in agriculture and rural development and resilient rural livelihoods is crucial to providing sustainable livelihood alternatives to migration.

Policy coherence between migration and agriculture and rural development policies is essential to ensure safe, orderly, and regular migration. Policies should not aim to reduce or accelerate migratory flows, but rather to maximize the economic and social benefits while minimizing the costs to migrants and societies.

At global level, FAO is committed to generate more evidence on rural migration to inform policy decisions and programme design.

FAO co-chaired the Global Migration Group (GMG) together with the IOM and supported the preparation of the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. FAO will actively participate in the newly established UN network on migration to support member States in the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration.

FAO supports countries in addressing the adverse drivers of migration and boosting alternatives in rural areas to give people more and better options and facilitate rural mobility. In its work, FAO promotes resilience and agricultural livelihoods for migrants and communities to ensure migration is beneficial for all and makes sure to enhance the benefits of migration for agriculture and rural development by fostering investments and promoting employment and agroentrepreneurship opportunities in areas of origin.

Provided that is it safe, orderly and well-managed, migration can contribute in a positive manner to sustainable development and economic growth, in the countries of origin, transit and destination.

It is, therefore, necessary to further strengthen cooperation and coordination between countries of origin, transit and destination as well as main International Organizations to unlock the potential of migrants as transnationalism development agents.

Thank you for your attention.