UNGA 77 – Second Committee
Agenda item 15: Information and communications technologies
for sustainable development
Agenda item 20: Globalization and interdependence
New York, 7 October 2022
Madam Chair,
Globalization is a distinctive feature of our world and has brought positive developments in several different areas, including poverty eradication, job creation, social integration, and international cooperation.[1]
At the same time, these gains have not always been evenly distributed within and among Countries. If for many globalization has provided significant opportunities for better living conditions, better education, better employment, and better integration into society, for many others it has, instead, exacerbated exclusion, isolation, and discrimination. This is particularly evident in the case of migrants.
Despite international and regional migration being one of the most prominent dimensions of globalization today, millions of irregular migrants are far from enjoying its positive effects. Rather than being integrated into society and the economy, many experience different forms of violence, abuse, and exploitation before arriving, if at all, at their final destination.
First, thousands of irregular migrants every year risk being taken advantage of by smugglers and even abandoned in situations of distress at sea. To combat this illegal activity and avoid unnecessary loss of life, States should take a more coherent and proactive approach in the coordination of Search and Rescue (SAR) operations as well as in the disembarkation of migrants in places of safety. In addition, States must work diligently to increase legal pathways for migration, invest in sustainable development and promote respect for fundamental human rights, particularly in countries of origin, so that migration remains safe and voluntary.
Second, thousands of migrants go missing every year. They disappear not only on precarious journeys across the seas and oceans, but also along migratory routes that cut across deserts, through mountains and into different, difficult situations in which they may even need international protection. Making matters worse, sometimes upon or after their arrival in countries of destination, they experience violence, racism, xenophobia, and abuse. Too often, migrants disappear even before their arrival and are automatically assumed to be dead and quickly forgotten. States, together with relevant organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Organization for Migration, should continue the important work to address this tragedy, by providing a name, face, and location to families that would otherwise never know the final whereabouts of their loved ones.
Third, in many cases migrants become invisible because they are unable or unwilling to register for proof of legal identity or documentation. When this happens, it becomes difficult to access essential services, such as healthcare, education, housing, and even job opportunities. This is especially the case of migrants who fall victims of trafficking and smuggling.
The scenarios above reflect what Pope Francis has labeled the “globalization of indifference,”[2]which promotes a sense of proximity without fraternity.[3] In contrast, when globalization is grounded in solidarity and respect for the inherent human dignity of every person, as well as the pursuit of the common good, globalization can truly foster a “sense of belonging to a single human family.”[4]
In this regard, the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) and the recent negotiation of the Progress Declaration during the first International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) are concrete examples of tools available to the international community as it works to move away from a paradigm of indifference and inaction and turn toward one of unity and solidarity.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
[1] Cf. A/77/253, Secretary-General’s report “Fulfilling the promise of globalization: advancing sustainable development in an interconnected world.”
[2] Pope Francis, Message for the 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, 29 September 2019.
[3] Cf. Pope Francis, encyclical letter Fratelli Tutti, 12.
[4] Pope Francis, encyclical letter Fratelli Tutti, 30.