International Agenda

FORUM ON MIGRATION, TRADE AND GLOBAL ECONOMY

The Foro del Sur Foundation, together with the Center for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), held the first international meeting dedicated to the study of the links between migration, trade and the world economy.

The Forum sought to serve as an innovative platform to stimulate a better understanding of the link between migration and international trade, through constructive dialogue based on academic excellence. In order to enrich this discussion, original research papers were received, which were presented on that occasion and provided the necessary framework to understand the complexity of the link between migration, international trade and global economy.

The primary objective of the Forum on Migration, Trade and World Economy was to facilitate dialogue between public policy makers, private sector actors, academia, civil society groups and senior officials representing governmental and intergovernmental organizations.

This dialogue provided a non-partisan space, based on the study of evidence, to examine the links between migration and international trade, investigate the main challenges, and explore new alternatives for the coordination of concrete policies at the national, regional and international levels. Outside the traditional negotiating context, the Forum addressed the issue of migration from a trade perspective with the objective of understanding what are the key issues at stake and exploring new ways for coordinated political action at the national, regional and global levels to contribute with possible solutions.

The Forum took place at the National Immigration Museum, located in the port of Buenos Aires, a historical center built to support thousands of immigrants who arrived from different parts of the world between 1906 and 1911. This impressive complex represents the Argentine hospitality and the welcome given to immigrants between the 19th and 20th centuries, considered a key dimension in a context of great integration with the world.

It should be noted that, although the migration issue is at the center of discussion of the global agenda, its links with trade have not yet been sufficiently explored. That is why the Forum hoped to contribute to reducing this gap, within the framework of the Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization that had been held previously in the City of Buenos Aires and the Argentine G20 Presidency. In this regard, the Forum aimed to facilitate the construction of networks between various epistemic and political communities, favoring dialogue based on the latest research in various disciplines, with the additional possibility of sharing regional and international experiences.

The opening session included presentations by the main authorities of the organizations that made the meeting possible. Among them, were Anibal Jozami, President of the Foro del Sur Foundation; Ricardo Meléndez-Ortiz, General Director of the International Center for Trade and Sustainable Development; Horacio García, National Director of Migrations; and Diego Beltrand, Regional Director for South America of the International Organization for Migration.

The II Plenary Session was moderated by Lelio Marmora, Director of the UNTREF Institute for Migration and Asylum Policy, and featured presentations by Thomas Cottier (University of Bern), Marion Jansen (International Trade Center) and Marina Manke (IOM).

The III Plenary Session discussed the links between migration, trade and investment. The panel was moderated by Félix Peña (Foro del Sur Foundation - UNTREF), and the speakers were Gianluca Orefice (CEPII), Onyekachi Wambu (AFFORD UK), Eugenio Díaz Bonilla and Valeria Piñeiro (IFPRI).

The IV Plenary Session was led by Gustavo Béliz, INTAL Director, who spoke with Stefano Breschi (Bocconi University) and Nick Ashton-Hart (Genoa Center) about migration and its link with the knowledge and technology transfer throughout borders. Likewise, the debate raised the possibility of understanding trade as a migration governance strategy and the contribution that migration makes to the digital economy.

The Forum had two simultaneous sessions that dealt with the issue of migration and its link with regional integration, the free labor movement and entrepreneurship. These panels were attended by Hubert Schillinger (Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung), Martin Kahenec (Global Labor Organization), Guillermo Dema (International Labor Organization), Alexandra Starr (Russell Sage Foundation), among others.

The closing session discussed the coherence between migration and trade policies at the national and global level, and explored alternatives for future actions that enhance the role of migrants. The panel was composed by Evita Schmieg (German Institute for International Affairs), Huiyao Wang (Center for China and Globalization), Jorge Martínez Pizarro (ECLAC), among others.

PROGRAM

1. Migration, trade and world economy: exploring the contribution of migration to trade and investment flows (internal, regional and global).

2. Migration and the new economy of innovation, including sessions on digital economy, services and technology.

3. A new vision for development: the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the 2030 Agenda, migration and trade.

4. Migration, trade and labor policy: analysis of the effect of migration on the results in the labor market of the host country (employment and wages).

5. Social dimensions of migration and trade, specifically addressing issues of inclusion, equity and gender.

6. Migration and integration of regional trade in value chains, including the role of small and medium enterprises in Latin America and other regions.

7. The future of migration and trade: systemic policy considerations, scope of bilateral labor agreements, scope of public-private partnership (including sessions with experts and analysis of current regional and multilateral initiatives).

STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

The International Center for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD), founded in 1996, is an independent non-profit organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. Its objective is to promote sustainable development through the formulation of trade-related policies. These policies can serve as powerful drivers of sustainable development in global policymaking and global inclusion if those who participate in the negotiations incorporate the latest knowledge on economic, environmental and social issues. In doing so, they are empowered to better understand their own interests, build links with others and move forward in the construction of mutually acceptable solutions. ICTSD's vision is that of a sustainable world, supported by national, regional and international policies and trade frameworks that promote intergenerational equity.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), created in 1951, is the main intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. With 166 Member States, 8 States that enjoy Observer Status, and offices in more than 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to ensuring humane and orderly management of migration for the benefit of all. In that task, it offers services and advice to governments and migrants. IOM's job includes promoting international cooperation on migration issues; helping find practical solutions to migratory problems: and offering humanitarian assistance to migrants who need it, whether they are refugees, displaced or uprooted people.

Sesión Plenaria I: Apertura y "La necesidad de dialogar sobre el nexo entre migración y comercio"