When the pandemic hit, migrants served on the front lines in many countries, continuing to work in health care, education, hospitality and agriculture, despite the health risks they faced. The pandemic may have receded, but what has not receded is the world’s need for migrants – every country in the world needs nurses, for example – and the migrant’s need for a safe, regular pathway to the jobs that await them. The world’s need is driven by demographic and economic changes, creating a global competition for talent. Thirty of the world’s largest economies have labour shortages, and, according to the Boston Consulting Group, the cost of those unfilled jobs is more than $1.3 trillion a year. Ageing populations will exacerbate these labour shortages. By 2050, people over the age of 65 will represent nearly 40% of the population in Japan and Korea. Many European countries are not far behind. Foreign talent can help alleviate these challenges. It can also drive innovation, providing companies and countries that are willing to embrace future development with a substantial strategic advantage. Smart, strategic investments in better migration pathways can help deliver this sustainable development. These investments can also reduce the rising incidence of dangerous and irregular migration that has overwhelmed borders, enhancing the business model of the smuggler and the trafficker. well-known and available pathways for many migrants is asylum. But asylum systems are often overwhelmed by applications from people who are not fleeing persecution or war, but instead are seeking better economic opportunities. A regular pathway into an actual job is a much better option. We can provide training before people reach their destination country, so that when they arrive, they can speak the language and find work. We can respond to the needs of individual industries such as in the IT sector or in health care, to provide the skills they desperately need. We need to build more comprehensive approaches, connecting migration, OVERWHELMED SYSTEMS Unfortunately, one of the only
When we look at [the] bigger picture, we see the broad, rich story of migration – the human stories of aspiration, resilience, and migration’s role in societal advancement and global prosperity”
development assistance, livelihood opportunities and even urban planning in a much more dynamic and strategic manner. A deliberate and inclusive plan would also help fragile economies become stronger and protect women and other vulnerable communities. The countries that best understand the migration landscape and how it can help their economies will be the ones best positioned to tackle the challenges of this decade and the ones that follow. The path forward is not without its challenges. But working together, the world’s leading countries are well equipped to meet them and seize the opportunity that migration presents. So let’s collaborate across countries and sectors to craft policies that not only manage migration effectively but leverage it for the greater good around the world.
AMY E POPE Amy E Pope began her five-year term as director general of the International Organization for Migration on 1 October 2023. Previously, she was the senior adviser on migration to US President Joe Biden and served as deputy homeland security adviser to President Barack Obama. She has promoted dialogue on global migration challenges and opportunities through her academic writing and work with Chatham House. She has also occupied positions at the US Department of Justice and US Senate and was a partner in the London-based law firm Schillings.
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2024 — G7 ITALY: THE APULIA SUMMIT
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