On 14 July 2020 IOM in partnership with Georgia and Armenia brought together Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine for an introductory meeting to present the regional cooperation framework and the planned November conference on Migration and Development.  With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, in close cooperation Georgia and Armenia and with active engagement of the representatives of the mentioned countries and IOM missions in the region, IOM Georgia and Armenia plan to organize  a series of regional thematic conferences on migration governance topics over the next three years under the project “Enhancing Migrants’ Rights and Good Governance in Georgia and Armenia – EMERGE”. The main objective of the planned regional activities is to provide opportunities for the countries to exchange views, best practices and strengthen ties to address migration challenges.

The purpose of the 14 July meeting was to connect the countries and discuss planned November conference topics exploring Migration and Development proposed by Georgia. The countries welcomed the initiative and provided initial input covering such issues as: the place of diaspora in country development, usage the knowledge of emigrants, role of private sector in migration and development -oriented action, etc. The next technical meeting scheduled for September will seek to advance November conference preparations and offer the next opportunity for the regional engagement and dialogue.

Georgia and Armenia face a common set of challenges related to increased emigration as well as immigration, both impacted by and impacting social and economic development across the region and so do the participating countries - Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine. These countries all have high number of their citizens living and working abroad and experience higher levels of economic emigration.

“It is due to geographic proximity as well as due to the common set of challenges that there is a strong rationale for bringing all of you together to discuss issues of mutual interest and further expand regional cooperation in the field of migration management and governance,” said Renate Held, IOM Regional Director for South Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia (SEEECA). “On the other hand, unique circumstances and paths you each are on as countries contribute to diversity of views and approaches which can only enrichen the regional dialogue and make discussions more effective and interesting.”

According to George Jashi, Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the State Commission on Migration Issues, Government of Georgia, “Georgia wanted to explore Migration and Development through regional lens and to collaboratively look at the similarities among the countries and how we can adjust our national policies to migration and development oriented policies. Georgia’s current migration strategy is dominated by the Migration and Development nexus. Most of the countries represented here are active participants at the Global Forum on Migration and Development, so we hope we can all jointly contribute to the relevant discussions at the Forum planned in 2021.”

“In this new reality that the pandemic has brought to us, regional ties, collaboration and dialogue is more important than ever. We are delighted to provide support to the Government of Georgia initiative and continue our successful collaboration,” said Sanja Celebic Lukovac, IOM Georgia Chief of Mission.

The need to optimize the overall benefits of migration and the fact that no country can address the challenges and opportunities of this global phenomenon on its own became especially evident in the context of COVID-19, which exposed gaps in global actions. “Given the complexities of these dynamics and their multifaceted impacts across the region, I applaud the Government of Georgia for wanting to take a regional approach in looking at these issues and for emphasizing a ‘whole-of-government’ approach to migration policy” said Michael Newson, Senior Labour Mobility & Human Development Specialist, IOM Regional SEEECA Office.  

IOM experts from the Regional Office, IOM HQ in Geneva and from the missions in the region will work with the governments to provide expertise and technical support with the November Conference preparation and organization. Through this new platform for regional migration dialogue IOM will continue to work closely with the participating governments from South Caucasus / Black Sea Region to facilitate enhanced cooperation on migration governance issues.