Migration shapes cities. How do cities shape the migration governance debate in return?

Cities have become the main destinations of migrants in search of a better life and greater job prospects and services. As such, cities and other local and regional governments (LRGs) play a transformative role when it comes to welcoming migrants into the social and economic fabric of communities and protecting the most vulnerable. Their policies have a direct impact on the well-being of migrants and often, only local action can fulfill policies and programmes that are developed at the national, regional, and international levels, as highlighted by the UN Secretary-General.

In practice however, LRGs are asked to do more with less, in particular in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, in spite of shrinking budget and lack of full competency to act. Above all, LRGs are often not consulted when shaping national and international migration policies.

In 2018, however, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and the Global Compact for Refugees recognised the key role that LRGs play in supporting migrants and displaced persons for the development of sustainable communities. Likewise, the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) process also established in 2018 the Mayors Mechanism, to enable LRGs to interact with their national counterparts during formal GFMD discussions.

The international community will soon converge in New York to review the implementation of the GCM, at the first International Migration Review Forum (IMRF, 16-20 May 2022). Intergovernmental consultations have already started on a draft Progress Declaration to be adopted at this IMRF. So, the main question is:

How is the role of LRGs reflected in the current international migration debate?

Hybrid event, limited number of seats. Please register

Speakers

Join us for an informal conversation on the issue with:

• Ms. Corine Mauch, Mayor of Zurich, Switzerland, MMC Founding Leadership Board Member
• Ms. Elizabeth Naa Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, Mayor of Accra, Ghana
• Ms. Cindy Munro, Minister-Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Canada

Moderation and closing remarks:

Ms. Anh Thu Duong, Co-Director, Geneva Cities Hub,
Ms. Sophie van Haasen, Coordinator, Mayors Mechanism

Watch the video here. 

Partners