Elma Saiz reafirma el compromiso de España con los derechos humanos y el multilateralismo en la Semana de Alto Nivel de la ONU

The Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, highlighted the importance of cooperation between countries of origin, transit and destination in the management of migratory flows. “For Spain, this means promoting regular and safe migration routes, promoting orderly labour mobility and strengthening the protection of people in vulnerable situations. We must ensure that migration goes hand in hand with social and labour inclusion.”

In her speech at the side event ‘Forging alliances: strengthening collaboration along migration routes’, inscribed in the United Nations Open Week program, the minister reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to human rights as a cornerstone of all migration policy. “Protecting the dignity, rights and well-being of migrants is not only a legal and ethical obligation, it is also essential for policies to be effective, legitimate and sustainable.”

It has also valued the role of the United Nations, as an “organization in a privileged situation to help member states share experiences and resources, as well as to support and foster alliances.”

Elma Saiz was joined by the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner; the Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope; the Executive Director of UNICEF, Catherine Russell; and representatives of the Governments of Senegal, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Nigeria and Bangladesh.

Boosting gender policies

At the end of this event, Minister of Inclusion Elma Saiz held a bilateral meeting with Sima Sami Bahous, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Director of UN Women. “Spain considers it a priority to continue promoting public policies that reduce the structural inequalities that affect women, for which co-responsibility, equal pay and the protection of contribution careers must be strengthened,” said Saiz.

These proposals become even more relevant at a time when, as stated in the recent annual report of UN Women “Gender Panorama 2026”, there has been a setback in many countries of women’s leadership in politics, justice and business. The report itself warns that gender equality will not be achieved until 2197 if it continues at the current pace.

“The diagnosis and proposals in this report are, to a large extent, in line with the lines advocated by the Spanish Government in terms of equality, political participation and protection of rights. That is why Spain reaffirms its commitment to adequate and sustained financing of institutional mechanisms for equality,” added the minister.

Meeting with Miguel Ángel Moratinos

Elma Saiz has also held a bilateral meeting with Miguel Ángel Moratinos, United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations. “Spain and the Alliance of Civilizations share the same conviction: the great challenges of our time can only be met through dialogue, international cooperation and the strengthening of the multilateral system,” explained Elma Saiz.

Both representatives have shared the importance of addressing migration policies from a gender perspective. “Migrant women often suffer multiple forms of discrimination based on gender, origin or socio-economic status,” said Minister Saiz. “Therefore, it is essential to incorporate the gender perspective in our migration, inclusion and integration policies in a transversal way.”

Likewise, Saiz and Moratinos have shared their concern about the dissemination of hate content on social networks. In this regard, the Minister of Inclusion has advanced the methodology used by the Observatory against Racism and Xenophobia to identify, analyze and report hate content on the Internet, while the Ministry of Inclusion promotes cooperation with digital platforms and the exchange of knowledge with different actors.

Strategic collaboration with IOM

Elma Saiz and Amy Pope, Director-General of the International Organization for Migration and coordinator of the United Nations Migration Network, for their part, have deepened the importance of international cooperation and coordination of migration policies at their meeting.

“Today more than ever, the collaboration between Spain and the IOM is essential to respond to an international context marked by the increase in forced displacement, conflicts, pressure on migratory routes and the need to build safe, orderly and regular channels of human mobility,” explained Saiz.

For the minister, the management of migratory movements requires coordinated responses, capacity for anticipation and close cooperation between States, international organizations and European institutions. “IOM is an indispensable partner in transforming migration challenges into opportunities for development, social cohesion and shared prosperity.”

The agenda in New York has also included a colloquium with experts and academics in migration matters who have applauded the policy of the Government of Spain in this matter and have highlighted that it is an example to follow in the international arena.

“We need stories based on facts and evidence in the face of simplistic or stigmatizing speeches, only then can we turn challenges into opportunities,” the minister concluded.