The pandemic not only endangers the prospects of advancing implementation of the objectives set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, but also threatens to reverse the progress achieved so far and further exacerbate existing challenges and vulnerabilities across every area. In working together to identify measures to respond to the pandemic, it is important that governments and the wider international community seize this crisis as an opportunity to reiterate their commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and use their implementation as a means to create more resilient societies and to ensure that they can better respond to future crises. In keeping with previous IDM discussions on the follow-up and review of the migration related Sustainable Development Goals, this session aims to foster greater cooperation and develop networks for future action on migration governance and achievement of Goals in the post-pandemic era. Ministers’ recommendations at the IDM 2013 highlighted the potential of diasporas to help reinvigorate and fuel social and economic development in the post- crisis environment and called for greater engagement with and empowerment of diasporas. Similarly, the IDM 2017 underlined the positive impact of remittances for countries of origin, with contributions of migrants going well beyond remittances, also including knowledge and skills transfer, entrepreneurship and innovation, trade and investment, as well as important social, cultural and other contributions. During the recovery from the impacts of the pandemic, migrants’ contributions will be essential for achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Moreover, it is important to also look at how the economic contributions of migrants and diasporas are affected by the pandemic and at how they could be safeguarded in the future. This session will address, among others, remittance costs, safer remittances, financial literacy, alternative work and entrepreneurship opportunities, reskilling, and transnational elements of migrant workers.

Speakers:

• Viorica Dumbraveanu, Minister of Health, Labor, and Social Protection, Moldova
• Tsion Teklu, State Minister for Business and Diaspora Affairs, Ethiopia
• Pauline Tamesis, UN Resident Coordinator in Cambodia
• Felipe Munoz, Chief of the Migration Unit, Social Sector, Interamerican Development Bank
• Boubou Camara, Support Pillar Manager- COVID-19, WHO