Co-Hosting the 2019 ‘UN Intentional Day of Migrants’, for the first time in Bangkok, by joining with Bangladesh and the United Nations Regional Network on Migration for Asia and the Pacific Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Thailand and the Permanent Representative to the UNESCAP Samantha K. Jayasuriya said that, “Over 80% of the migrants travel intra-regionally, and many are being hosted in developing countries in South as well, and on this Day of International Migrants, the generosity and resilience of all these host governments and societies should not go unnoticed, and they need to be supported in their efforts until the migrants find safe return or resettlement options” .
18th December is celebrated as the International Day of Migrants following the adoption of the International Convention on the Rights of all Migrant Workers and the Welfare of Their Families in year 2000 at UNGA in New York. This year’s solemn event held at the UNCC in Bangkok hosted a panel discussion moderated by the Regional Director of the IOM for Asia and the Pacific Dr. Nenette Motus, with the participation of the representatives of ILO, Civil Society, Governments and migrant voice, keeping with the multi-stakeholder nature of the dialogue on a cross cutting issue such as migration.
Further addressing the gathering, Ambassador Jayasuriya said Sri Lanka’s proactive engagement and collective work experience by giving leadership to the Colombo Process and the Abu Dhabi Dialogue- which are two dynamic, yet informal intergovernmental platforms on addressing issues related to contractual labour migration in the Asia-GCC migration corridor, has been the key reason for Sri Lanka to join cohosting this year’s celebration. Recalling the long years of very cordial and productive relationship with IOM that began way before Sri Lanka became a Member of the IOM council in year 2000, as a good example of the convincing and very pragmatic work been carried out by IOM at the field as an effective operational organization, commended the yeomen services by all IOM staff in the field, to make the lives of millions of migrants dignified and ensuring their welfare.
The event was attended by Ambassadors and the diplomatic community in Bangkok, representatives from Thai Government, International Organizations and Civil Society. The participants joined for traditional food and refreshments, arranged by the Embassies of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Philippine following the event.
