In 2025, the theme of the celebration will be "My contribution to culture and development matters," emphasizing the importance of population mobility as one of the key factors of progress that strengthens economies and connections between various communities.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated in his message that migration serves as a powerful driver of development, benefiting both sending and receiving countries.
Migrants play a key role in providing labor, stimulating innovation, and maintaining demographic sustainability in various countries.
It is projected that by 2025, remittances to low- and middle-income countries will reach a record high of $685 billion.
However, as emphasized, for this contribution to become a reality, safe, orderly, and responsible migration management must be implemented. Guterres noted that a lack of regulation and the distortion of migration issues in public discourse can lead to the incitement of hatred and division, putting at risk the lives of those seeking safety and new opportunities.
Effective migration policies help migrants find stability, support their families, and build a new future, while also contributing to the social and economic resilience of receiving communities.
Since 2014, nearly 70,000 migrants have died or gone missing on various routes, both land and sea, and the actual numbers are likely much higher. Stricter border controls and the rise of smuggling activities particularly affect the most vulnerable groups, such as women and children.
Guterres reminded that seven years ago, the international community endorsed the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, aimed at maximizing the benefits of migration and addressing the challenges associated with it.
“We are capable and obligated to harness the potential of migration for sustainable development and to create more resilient societies. The first step is to challenge the ideological narratives that dehumanize migrants and replace them with stories of solidarity,” the UN chief noted.
On this International Migrants Day, the UN calls for the protection of the rights of every migrant and for collective efforts to ensure that all migration processes take place in dignified and safe conditions.
Photo on the main page is illustrative: csis.org.
