Global Experts On Migration And Trade To Convene In Buenos Aires

Leading experts on migration and trade will be convened by ICTSD at the inaugural Forum on Migration, Trade and the Global Economy on 14 December 2017 in Buenos Aires.

Organised by ICTSD in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Fundación Foro del Sur, the one-day event will be the first of its kind examining critical policy issues that lie at the intersection of migration and the globalised economy.

World-class experts and policymakers will explore key areas such as policies and frameworks governing international markets in goods, services, and the knowledge economy; the impact of digital and other disruptive technologies; innovation networks, policy coherence, and diasporas; and labour mobility in regional integration processes and agreements between neighbouring countries.

“A fundamental shift in migration patterns is underway and policymakers need to formulate policies that enhance the potential benefits,” said Ricardo Meléndez-Ortiz, Chief Executive of ICTSD. “Understanding the ways in which migration and trade interact is increasingly vital to managing global and regional interdependence in the 21st century.”

“With 244 million international migrants, and even larger transnational communities, the immense contributions of migrants and diaspora to business, trade and entrepreneurship is undeniable,” stressed Diego Beltrand, IOM Regional Director for South America. “This forum will highlight these vital contributions, as well as unpack the obstacles that migrants face, and recommend changes to national and international governance to enhance the positive link between migration and trade.”

Félix Peña, international trade expert from Argentina, underlined that “the experience of many Latin American countries has been positive. Migration can be reflected in the ability of people to appreciate the value of cultural diversity and its impact on creativity, with great incidence on the development and trade capacity of a nation.”

The government of Argentina takes over the G20 presidency through December 2018 – a process in which ICTSD is actively engaged.

This provides an opportunity to service a high-level dialogue on the challenging and at times sensitive questions surrounding the internationalisation of the economy, global and regional economic integration and migration, as well as to explore avenues for enhanced policy cooperation and coordination.

The Forum will take place in the Museo Nacional de la Inmigración, housed in the former Hotel de Inmigrantes in Buenos Aires, a witness to the multifaceted role of immigration in shaping Argentina’s history.