IOM Highlights Benefits Of ‘Well-Managed’ Migration

Well-managed migration is an essential part of how Small Island Developing States achieve resilient prosperity, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on the eve of the fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) in Antigua and Barbuda (27-30 May). The Conference will discuss the progress achieved towards sustainable development by the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The group of 39 States and 18 Associate Members will also ratify the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), a 10-year plan to build resilient economies and foster prosperous societies. “Small Island Developing States are contending with significant challenges, but they also have tremendous opportunities to build sustainable development and resilient prosperity,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “Safe, regular migration pathways can help these countries build that prosperity by taking advantage of their workforces to help diversify and strengthen economic progress.” Migration is woven into the social, economic, historical and cultural fabric of Small Island Developing States. They are home to 3.81 million international migrants and are countries of origin of nearly 10 million migrants. They also boast significant intra-regional mobility. While progress has been made over the last decades, SIDS face unique challenges to sustainable development, requiring innovative...