Statement by Ms. Riia Salsa DPR of Estonian Mission at the IOM Council 108th session during the General Debate under Item 9
30.11.2017
IOM
COUNCIL 108th session, 28 November – 1 December 2017
Intervention by ESTONIA
Statement
delivered by Ms. Riia Salsa, Deputy
Permanent Representative of Estonia to the UN Office in Geneva
General Debate – Item 9
Geneva, 30 November 2017
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Thank you Madam Chair,
I would like to congratulate you as well as the other
bureau members for their election to guide the work of this Council.
Estonia aligns itself with the statement delivered by
the European Union on behalf of its Member States.
Allow me to start by thanking Director General Swing
for his dedicated leadership of this organisation and for the report he
presented to the Council two days ago. IOM’s tireless engagement and dedicated
response to global migration challenges are truly commendable. Estonia wishes
to reiterate its support to IOM as the global lead agency on migration. Allow
me to also welcome new members, Cuba and Cook Islands, and new observers to the
Council.
As the DG reported, IOM continues to grow in every
aspect: in number of Member States, projects, budget figures and global reach. While
the soon quasi-global adherence to IOM witnesses the trust to and importance of
IOM, the steady growth is also a result of many unresolved migration related
challenges in the world. We welcome IOM’s agility to face the growth of the
organisation in order to remain fit for purpose in the context of
multiplication of displacement crises. With regard to this phenomenal growth, attention
has to be paid to coherent prioritization of activities to avoid possible
duplication, including with other UN organisations, and diffused focus.
Estonia highly values the reinforced cooperation with
IOM in recent years, which was enthroned by IOM DG’s visit to Tallinn this
spring. IOM – as well as UNHCR – has provided valuable support to Estonia in building
capacity to address increased forced displacement flows, including assisting
voluntary return of persons not in need for international protection. I would also
like to express our sincere appreciation to IOM and its office in Tallinn for the
cooperation in the field of resettlement and relocation.
In its capacity as the Presidency of the EU Council
since July 2017, Estonia has set migration as one of its EU Presidency
priorities. At the EU level Estonia has been promoting comprehensive and
holistic approaches to migration, that take into account both internal and
external aspects and focus on the long-term perspective of the migration
policy. Among other things, we have focussed on parallel issues such as
balanced approach to regular migration, preventing and reducing irregular
migration, control of external borders, and promoting cooperation with third
countries.
Madam Chair,
Estonia welcomes IOM’s enhanced focus on data collection
and evidence. IOM’s Displacement Tracing Matrix and Global Migration Data
Analysis Centre support informed decision making in the field of migration. Nonetheless,
handling larger amounts of data also creates the need for better data
protection. Estonia stands ready to share its experience in this regard.
DGs report to the Council also brought up IOM’s vision
to develop its policy-planning capacity and enhance its work in IDP contexts. We
would like to encourage the DG to continue his commendably transparent updates
to the Council to inform on the advancements and possible challenges. In the
context of work on IDPs, timely and consistent coordination with other
organisations, including UNHCR and OCHA, will help to avoid possible overlaps.
Madam Chair,
IOM’s accession to the UN family, as the global lead
agency on migration, was a milestone. We are pleased to hear DG’s positive
assessment of IOM’s first year in the UN system and regarding IOM’s greater
access to information, visibility and funding.
Finally, a few remarks on the Global Compact on
Migration – Estonia expects the Compact to be people-centred,
human-rights-based, closely in line with other global initiatives such as the
2030 Agenda, and taking into account the challenges and benefits of migration
for all. We aim for a practical and implementable outcome that would enhance
the cooperation and coordination globally between the countries of origin,
transit and destination, and follow the principles of inclusiveness and
transparency.
Allow me to reiterate also Estonia’s support for a
strong role of the IOM in the process of the Global Compact on Migration,
including in the implementation and follow-up of the Compact. IOM as the global
lead agency on migration, with a truly global mandate and reach, as well as
operational and policy expertise in the field of migration, has to have a significant
and specific role to play in this process. Considering the non-legally binging
nature of the Global Compact on Migration, Estonia sees that the follow-up and monitoring
mechanism of the GCM should be efficient, light and responsive; based on the
framework of existing UN fora; and it should not lead to the creation of any
new structures.
Thank you for your attention!
 
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