Bangkok--21 Jun--UN The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed today a Memorandum of Understanding to further strengthen the close collaboration between the two organizations. The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a general framework for cooperation and coordination on international migration issues that are of growing importance to countries in Asia and the Pacific region. Out of an estimated 190 million international migrants worldwide, the region accounts for one-third or about 58 million — 53 million in Asia and 5 million in the Pacific. Cross-border movement of people in search of better opportunity or human security is a long standing characteristic of societies in the region. It is estimated that ESCAP member countries received about US$85 billion in remittances in 2004. Remittances from international migration have become a structural element of the Asia-Pacific economy, playing essential roles in sustaining local and national economies. “Member States of ESCAP increasingly view international migration as an emerging issue with ramifications on the broader development agenda”, said Mr. Kim Hak-Su, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, at the signing ceremony. “The Memorandum of Understanding will formalize our long-standing collaboration with IOM and harmonize our respective activities on international migration and development”. “This agreement will allow us to develop joint initiatives with ESCAP at a time when international migration is being recognized as a major factor contributing to development in the region. Migration management challenges such as human trafficking remain and need to be curbed through concerted and coordinated action”, stated IOM’s Regional Representative for South-East Asia, Ms. Irena Vojackova-Sollorano. Closer cooperation between ESCAP and IOM contributes to more effective implementation of common socio-economic development objectives, including improving the livelihoods of migrants and maximizing the positive contribution of international migration towards poverty reduction. ESCAP and IOM are current co-chairs of the Regional Thematic Working Group on International Migration including Human Trafficking — a regional coordination mechanism set up by 16 United Nations agencies and other relevant international and intergovernmental organizations working on aspects of international migration within their respective programme of work. The functions of the Working Group include information sharing, identification of priority areas for cooperation and joint programmes, and dissemination of good practices in migration management. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the regional development arm of the United Nations for the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 1947, ESCAP is now headquartered in Bangkok and has 62 member governments. ESCAP seeks to overcome some of the region’s greatest development challenges. Focusing on issues that are most effectively addressed through regional cooperation, ESCAP carries out work in three main thematic areas: poverty reduction, managing globalization and tackling emerging social issues. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is an intergovernmental organization committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. Established in 1951, IOM has more than 300 field locations and 120 Member States as well as 89 observers comprised of States and global and regional IGOs and NGOs. IOM assists in meeting the operational challenges of migration, advances understanding of migration issues and encourages social and economic development through international migration. For further information, please contact: Keiko Osaki Tomita Chief Population and Social Integration Section Emerging Social Issues Division UNESCAP Tel. +662-288-1507 Email: [email protected] www.unescap.org Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net