Resident Coordinator's Remarks on International Migrants Day Commemoration 2022

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I am delighted to welcome you all to this commemoration of International Migrants Day as we recognize the extraordinary individual and collective contributions of migrants to our communities and honor their indomitable will to overcome challenges and thrive even in the face of great adversity.

I would like to thank IOM for organizing this event in Mae Sot as well as the European Union for providing financial support to make it possible. Geraldine, you and your team have been strategically championing the rights of migrants in partnership with the Government, private sector and civil society. This whole-of-society approach is what is most needed.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the Royal Thai Government and Khun Somchai Kitcharoenrungroj, Deputy Governor of Tak Province, for their partnership in the province to respond to issues that affect migrants.

Migrants fulfil invaluable social and economic services worldwide in numerous ways, which include filling labour shortages.

This is particularly true of Thailand, a country that hosts over 4 million migrants from neighbouring nations who contribute to up to 7% of GDP. This demonstrates the immense socio-economic value that migrants bring to bear.

The government has been a champion on migrant rights. It has shown its commitment to the welfare of migrants and their families by offering mass vaccination, healthcare and education services to those who need it most.

However, many migrants remain deeply vulnerable to discrimination and exploitation. That is why much more will need to be done, especially for undocumented migrants with the least legal protection.

We will need to ensure safe labour practices for all migrants, create new pathways for proper documentation, and provide upskilling opportunities to meet the labour demands across industry.

In support of these and other goals, IOM is bringing a whole-of-UN approach by leveraging the UN country team.

IOM, together with UN Women, is working to empower migrant women by familiarizing them with their rights, the services they can access, and the grievance mechanisms available to them in case of gender-based violence and rights violations.

At the same time, IOM and ILO are improving access to much-needed skills development for migrants and building an enabling environment for safe migration. This includes an app that migrant workers can use to protect themselves from fraud or exploitation during the recruitment process and beyond.

IOM is also partnering with ITU to understand the digital skills gap to target capacity building and enhance job placements with a focus on the green transformation.

Importantly, safe and orderly migration benefits not only migrants but all of us because it improves socioeconomic conditions at both countries of origin and destination.

This is particularly so in Mae Sot, a prominent hub of cross-border migration. By holding this event here today we have an opportunity to reflect on how we can further address the challenges migrants face and strengthen their contribution to sustainable development.

Today’s film screening can aid us in this as cinema is a powerful medium for illuminating the conditions of migrants. Films have long been bringing their stories to diverse audiences, provoking empathy, and reflection.

The film we are about to watch relates to trafficking in persons, which remains a major risk factor for many migrants.

Through this screening, let us strive toward a deeper appreciation of the travails faced by victims of trafficking and their loved ones.

Let us also remember that most migrants are forced by necessity to relocate to make ends meet for their families and we would do the same in similar circumstances. We can all sympathize with their desire to better their lives despite often great hardships and risks along the way.

Thank you all for taking time to attend this screening and I look forward to engaging with you in the discussion that follows.