IOMNõukogu 108. sessioon, 28 november – 1 detsember 2017
Intervention by ESTONIA
Statementdelivered by Ms. Riia Salsa, DeputyPermanent Representativeof Estonia to the UN Office in Geneva
General Debate – Item 9
Genf, 30 november 2017
Checkagainst delivery
Thank you Madam Chair,
I would like to congratulate you as well as the otherbureau members for their election to guide the work of this Council.
Estonia aligns itself with the statement delivered bythe European Union on behalf of its Member States.
Allow me to start by thanking Director General Swingfor his dedicated leadership of this organisation and for the report hepresented to the Council two days ago. IOM’s tireless engagement and dedicatedresponse to global migration challenges are truly commendable. Estonia wishesto reiterate its support to IOM as the global lead agency on migration. Allowme to also welcome new members, Cuba and Cook Islands, and new observers to theCouncil.
As the DG reported, IOM continues to grow in everyaspect: in number of Member States, projects, budget figures and global reach. Whilethe soon quasi-global adherence to IOM witnesses the trust to and importance ofIOM, the steady growth is also a result of many unresolved migration relatedchallenges in the world. We welcome IOM’s agility to face the growth of theorganisation in order to remain fit for purpose in the context ofmultiplication of displacement crises. With regard to this phenomenal growth, attentionhas to be paid to coherent prioritization of activities to avoid possibleduplication, including with other UN organisations, and diffused focus.
Estonia highly values the reinforced cooperation withIOM in recent years, which was enthroned by IOM DG’s visit to Tallinn thisspring. IOM – as well as UNHCR – has provided valuable support to Estonia in buildingcapacity to address increased forced displacement flows, including assistingvoluntary return of persons not in need for international protection. I would alsolike to express our sincere appreciation to IOM and its office in Tallinn for thecooperation in the field of resettlement and relocation.
In its capacity as the Presidency of the EU Councilsince July 2017, Estonia has set migration as one of its EU Presidencypriorities. At the EU level Estonia has been promoting comprehensive andholistic approaches to migration, that take into account both internal andexternal aspects and focus on the long-term perspective of the migrationpolicy. Among other things, we have focussed on parallel issues such asbalanced approach to regular migration, preventing and reducing irregularmigration, control of external borders, and promoting cooperation with thirdcountries.
Madam Chair,
Estonia welcomes IOM’s enhanced focus on data collectionand evidence. IOM’s Displacement Tracing Matrix and Global Migration DataAnalysis Centre support informed decision making in the field of migration. Nonetheless,handling larger amounts of data also creates the need for better dataprotection. Estonia stands ready to share its experience in this regard.
DGs report to the Council also brought up IOM’s visionto develop its policy-planning capacity and enhance its work in IDP contexts. Wewould like to encourage the DG to continue his commendably transparent updatesto the Council to inform on the advancements and possible challenges. In thecontext of work on IDPs, timely and consistent coordination with otherorganisations, including UNHCR and OCHA, will help to avoid possible overlaps.
Madam Chair,
IOM’s accession to the UN family, as the global leadagency on migration, was a milestone. We are pleased to hear DG’s positiveassessment of IOM’s first year in the UN system and regarding IOM’s greateraccess to information, visibility and funding.
Finally, a few remarks on the Global Compact onMigration – Estonia expects the Compact to be people-centred,human-rights-based, closely in line with other global initiatives such as the2030 Agenda, and taking into account the challenges and benefits of migrationfor all. We aim for a practical and implementable outcome that would enhancethe cooperation and coordination globally between the countries of origin,transit and destination, and follow the principles of inclusiveness andtransparency.
Allow me to reiterate also Estonia’s support for astrong role of the IOM in the process of the Global Compact on Migration,including in the implementation and follow-up of the Compact. IOM as the globallead agency on migration, with a truly global mandate and reach, as well asoperational and policy expertise in the field of migration, has to have a significantand specific role to play in this process. Considering the non-legally bingingnature of the Global Compact on Migration, Estonia sees that the follow-up and monitoringmechanism of the GCM should be efficient, light and responsive; based on theframework of existing UN fora; and it should not lead to the creation of anynew structures.
Thank you for your attention!