Analyse
The claim aligns with the **Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM)**, adopted by the UN in 2018, which explicitly frames migration as a 'global reality' necessitating international cooperation (UN Resolution A/RES/73/195). The IOM’s own mandate—coordinating migration governance across 175+ member states—further validates the assertion that unilateral approaches are inadequate. Empirical evidence, such as the **2020 World Migration Report**, also underscores the cross-border nature of migration flows, with 281 million international migrants (3.6% of the global population) requiring multilateral policies for humane and effective management. No credible counter-evidence suggests migration can be addressed in isolation by individual nations.
Achtergrond
The statement was made during Vitorino’s tenure as IOM Director-General (2018–2023), a period marked by rising global displacement (e.g., 82.4 million forcibly displaced in 2020 per UNHCR) and politicized debates over border controls. The GCM, though non-binding, represents the first intergovernmental framework to emphasize shared responsibility, while regional crises (e.g., Mediterranean crossings, Rohingya displacement) demonstrated the limitations of national-only responses. The IOM’s role in facilitating dialogue and operational support (e.g., resettlement, counter-trafficking) reinforces the practical necessity of cooperation.
Samenvatting verdict
António Vitorino’s 2020 statement accurately reflects the consensus among international organizations, migration experts, and multilateral agreements that migration is a transnational issue requiring collective action and shared responsibility.