Dialogue on Challenges, Opportunities, and Solutions at the Iraq Migration Management Conference: Role of Expatriates in National Development
Dr. Khalid Al-Bayati (2nd from right) during his participation in the conference Photo: Zulfikar Hadi
Dr. Khalid Al-Bayati, a member of the Hammurabi Human Rights Organization (HHRO) research team member of the GAPs Horizon Europe project consortium, was one of the keynote speakers at the Iraq Migration Management Conference (June 8-9, 2024), in Baghdad. This event was organized by the Ministry of Migration and Displaced Persons of Iraq in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and various civil society organizations.
The conference aimed to address the complexities of migration governance, engaging both domestic and international stakeholders. Since 2021, Iraq has played a leading role in the Global Compact for Migration alongside Egypt and Morocco. This commitment was further underscored by Iraq's successful completion of the second Migration Governance Index (MGI) assessment in October 2023. The National Strategy for Migration Management serves as a framework for implementing the Global Compact for Migration in Iraq under the United Nations Network on Migration.
The conference had several key objectives. First, it aimed to review progress in migration governance by evaluating current practices and policies to identify gaps and potential solutions, empowering decision-makers to address challenges effectively.
Another objective was to address irregular migration by exploring opportunities to enhance legal migration pathways, integrating border management and protection mechanisms, and highlighting the developmental benefits of regular migration paths. Additionally, the conference aimed to prepare for the Second Regional Review Conference of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration in Cairo, Egypt, scheduled for July 3-4, 2024. Furthermore, the conference sought to enhance collaboration by fostering cooperation between governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, strengthening dialogue, information exchange, and innovative solution development for effective migration management.
Key outputs of the conference included an assessment of the achievements and challenges in managing migration under the Global Compact, strengthening cooperation between relevant ministries and stakeholders in Iraq, and identifying potential areas for further collaboration with international stakeholders to support Iraq's migration management efforts.
Participants of the conference included national and international decision-makers, migration practitioners, representatives from non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, UN partners, and migration experts.
In conclusion, the Iraq Migration Management Dialogue conference served as a critical forum for national and bilateral discussions, offering a platform to enhance cooperation and informed decision-making. The main messages and recommendations from this conference will contribute to regional and global discussions on migration management, guiding policy-making at national, regional, and international levels.