President of the General Assembly,
Secretary General,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Our two-day high level dialogue event on migration and development is a clear testimony of our collective recognition of the role that migration and migrants play in the development of their countries of origin, transit and destination.
Through this meeting, and many that preceded it, we have elevated, once more, the aspect of international migration to the top of global development agenda. The timing of the meeting is also opportune given the on-going consultations on post-2015 development agenda.
In our view, this high-level dialogue should clarify and establish clear linkages between migration and development in the context of the future development agenda. We are fully cognizant of the challenges lying ahead in integrating the issue of migration in the future sustainable development goals, owing to its complex nature but are confident that, through this two-day dialogue and subsequent dialogues we will find a workable compromise.
Mr. President,
The report of the High Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda recognizes the contribution of migrants and migration to the economic wellbeing of their countries of destination and origin. It is thus our firm belief that orderly migration can, and indeed contributes to poverty eradication at household, family, societal and national levels; increases human capital and provides multiplier effect in local economies. Migrants can also transfer skills, expertise, technology and cultural norms and knowledge, including traditional knowledge to their countries of origin or destination.
It is out of this recognition that the Government has initiated processes that are intended to improve the wellbeing of our Diaspora community to allow them to participate more effectively in the socio-economic development of their home country, including through direct remittances and investments. These efforts are spearheaded by the DIASPORA Affairs department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
In addition, we have developed an Action Plan on Migration related issues for the term (2012 to 2016) which focuses on building institutional capacity; setting up national consultation processes; enhancing dialogue between regional and national bodies; identifying and filling of data gaps; and formulating migration and border management strategies. The Plan further indicates ways of strengthening the internal coordination among government authorities working on migration related issues.
Tanzania is among the ACP Group of States which are currently implementing the Intra-ACP Migration Facility pilot from 2011 to date. The main objective of the facility is to support the mainstreaming of migration issues into national development policies and strategies. Through ACP support, Tanzania has established the National Consultative Committee on Migration comprising of government entities, civil societies, NGOs, and private sector. Currently, we are working on developing a National Migration and Development Policy.
Mr. President,
Migrants are increasingly on the move, flowing in and out of our borders in search of better life. Such movement can cause a huge strain on the receiving countries, especially those with fragile economies. International assistance is indispensable in these circumstances. But even more imperative is the existence of a policy environmental permitting for a humane treatment of these migrants, including regularization of illegal migrants to enable them to participate freely in the development endeavours in countries of their residence.
The International Community needs to understand and appreciate the national and regional complexities and peculiarities when dealing with international migration and development. Countries like my own, Tanzania, which is both a transit and destination for migrants, faces a myriad of challenges, ranging from armed criminality, proliferation of small arms and light weapons and violation of wildlife and conservation rules and regulations, in particular logging and poaching. Most countries that are surrounded by conflict/war prone countries experience the same situation.Each Government therefore, must be given ample space to determine its migration policies and priorities consistent with its geo-political location and international standards. There is no one size fits all in this regard.
Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me conclude by underscoring that the interconnectedness between migration and development is crucial in realizing optimal potential of globalization. Migrants’ contribution to development heavily depends on the creation of enabling environment for migrants to invest for their own development and for their countries. We must strive to build and promote sustainable migration, one which will compliment the post-2015 development
goals. Despite our support to the outcome of this Dialogue, my delegation feels strongly that the declaration to be adopted lacks focus and clear linkage between migration and development in the context of post-2015 development framework. It is imperative therefore that we continue with consultation on this subject to ensure that we have clear picture of the role of migration in the future development agenda.
I thank you for your attention
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