President Duterte Calls for Global Solidarity for Migrants During IOM@70 Celebration
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers remarks during the High-Level Segment on the impact of COVID-19 on borders, migration and mobility, part of the 3-day 112th Session of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Council held in Geneva, Switzerland on 29 November-01 December 2021.
GENEVA, 02 December 2021 – President Rodrigo Duterte rallied the global community to shore up stronger international solidarity and support for migrants in the face of the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery, during the 112th Session of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Council held in Geneva on 29 November to 01 December 2021, which coincided with the commemoration of the IOM’s 70th anniversary as the United Nation’s migration agency based in Geneva.
President Duterte emphasized that migrants ”must not be left behind as the world recovers,” even as he reiterated the appeal to the international community to make diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines accessible to everyone, including migrants, regardless of their status. As cross-border travel for migrants resumes, President Duterte stressed the need for concerted intergovernmental action towards recovery and mutual recognition of national vaccination certificates.
The President recognized the positive role migrants have played in pandemic control efforts. President Duterte lauded this as part of the important contribution of the 10 million Filipino nationals working in various parts of the world.
President Duterte addressed the Council, the highest authority of the IOM, and endorsed the strengthening of governance infrastructure for migration in the post-pandemic world. The Philippines, through Philippine Permanent Representative Evan P. Garcia, concluded its one-year Presidency of the Council last week.
Philippine Permanent Representative Evan P. Garcia, President for the 111th Council from November 2020–2021, led the opening of the 112th Session of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Council.
Ambassador Garcia presided the 111th Council from November 2020 – 2021 and led the opening of the 112th Session of the IOM Council.
Ambassador Garcia’s Presidency underlines the Philippines´ leadership in advocating for urgent action in responding and safeguarding more effectively the rights, dignity, and welfare of migrants all over the world. Ambassador Garcia’s statement also underscored the need to address challenges that migrants face, including racial discrimination, inequity and limited access to health and social services, and to confront and correct negative narratives about migration and xenophobia.
The Philippines firm stance on migrants’ rights and welfare is also affirmed in the country’s role as a Global Compact on Migration (GCM) Champion. In line with this, Ambassador Garcia pledged to remain actively engaged in its partnership with IOM and the international community to advance the interests and protect the welfare of migrants and vulnerable people on the move.
Ambassador Garcia ended his tenure as the first Filipino Chair of the Council Bureau of the IOM, having served in the Bureau since 2017, first as rapporteur, then second vice chair, first vice chair, and completing his term as Council President of the 111th Council. Ambassador Garcia also ended his term as Coordinator of the Asia Pacific Group of the IOM, turning over the position to the delegation of the Republic of Korea.
During his one-year stint as Chair, Ambassador Garcia supported IOM institutional and governance reform initiatives, and encouraged increased engagement between the IOM and Member States.
The Council, comprising 174 Member States, sets out policies, programs and activities, as well as reviews the management and operations of the IOM. The 112th Session of the IOM Council was held at the International Conference Center in Geneva, Switzerland from 29 November to 01 December 2021. END
For more information, visit https://www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinGenevaUN/. a