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11:53 GMT
GENEVA, June 5 (KUNA) -- There is an urgent need to include migration and
migrants into efforts to develop a green and sustainable development agenda,
urged the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday, marking
World Environment Day.
"Integrating migration into a new sustainable development agenda is
essential to ensure migrants contribute their knowledge and skills in key
areas such as poverty reduction, health, education, the environment and gender
equality," said IOM Director General William Lacy Swing in a press release.
Migrants already play a significant developmental role through the transfer
of knowledge and skills, the USD 400 billion they remit home each year and
because they develop transnational networks, businesses and investments that
are essential to the well-being of societies.
"If systematically included in development policies, the multiple
contributions of migrants can significantly contribute to sustainable and
green strategies," noted Swing.
Furthermore, migration remains a possible adaptation strategy for
populations affected by environmental degradation and climate change.
Migration, either international or internal, can alleviate pressure on
natural resources. It can also represent a viable alternative for populations
living in areas facing soil degradation or deforestation.
While some National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) produced by
Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to adapt to climate change include references
to migration, more can be done to strengthen the role of migration in the
adaptation context.
The 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change in Cancun called attention for the first time to "climate
change induced displacement, migration and relocation."
"I am heartened by the fact that migration and population displacement now
feature in a UN Climate Change document, but we need to go further. As the
international migration agency, we are committed to making progress in three
main areas.
"First, to support the least developed and developing countries in their
efforts to integrate migration into adaptation planning, as they are currently
developing their National Adaptation Plans.
"Second, to continue our work on mainstreaming migrants' contributions into
development strategies. Third, to enhance capacities needed to manage
environmental migration," said Swing. (end)
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