La ministra Elma Saiz lleva a Naciones Unidas la necesidad de reforzar la cooperación y las alianzas ante los retos migratorios

The Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, travels to New York, where she will participate in various high-level meetings on the protection of refugees, migration cooperation and integration, within the framework of the celebration of the United Nations Open Week, attended by several members of the Government, together with the President, Pedro Sánchez.

The UN High Level Week is the main annual political meeting held by this body at its headquarters in New York. It brings together heads of state, prime ministers and members of the various governments, as well as world leaders and experts from the member countries. Its purpose is to discuss and coordinate joint solutions to major global challenges and crises.

Saiz will transfer the experience of Spain and will defend the importance of strengthening international cooperation, alliances and co-responsibility to face migratory challenges and ensure responses that combine effective management with the protection and rights of individuals.

Protection of refugees and global responsibility

On the first day, Minister Saiz will participate as a panellist in the high-level meeting “Transforming the United Nations: Rethinking Peace, Refugee Protection and Global Responsibility”, organized within the framework of R-Space, a refugee-driven initiative that brings together senior decision-makers, refugee-led or refugee-focused organizations, and non-profit entities that support refugee protection and inclusion.

The minister will speak at a round table, moderated by the journalist and founder of INARA (International Network for Aid, Relief and Assistance), Arwa Damon, together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, and other international experts. The event will also feature a public Question Time.

The debate, to be held at the Harvard Club in the New York capital, will address the current challenges of peace, international protection and shared responsibility, in a context of transformation and adaptation of the United Nations. The participation of Saiz will allow us to transfer the experience and position of Spain in terms of reception and inclusion.

The minister’s agenda began this morning with a meeting with Gideon Maltz, CEO of Tent Partnership for Refugees, and Amaia Elizalde, director of Tent in Spain, to analyze the role that the private sector can play in the labor and economic integration of refugees.

Finally, on Wednesday, the minister will be part of the Spanish delegation that will accompany the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, during his speech before the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Alliances along migratory routes

On Thursday, the minister will participate in the United Nations headquarters in the side event: “Forging Partnerships: Strengthening Collaboration Along Migration Routes,” focused on strengthening cooperation and partnerships along migration routes.

The meeting will bring together ministers and senior officials of the United Nations and other international organizations, who will discuss mechanisms for cooperation and strategic alliances to provide effective responses to migratory movements.

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

Bilaterals to strengthen international cooperation

The minister’s agenda also includes a bilateral meeting with Miguel Ángel Moratinos, United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, with whom she will address issues related to intercultural dialogue, coexistence and social cohesion.

Saiz will also hold a bilateral meeting with Amy Pope, IOM Director-General and Coordinator of the United Nations Migration Network, to deepen international cooperation and coordination of migration policies.