In December the UN observed International Migrants Day, which was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in a resolution of 18 December 2000 that coincided with the date on which it adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and the Members of their Families in 1990.
International Migrants Day serves as an opportunity to review national and local strategies, share good practices, and renew commitments to protect the rights of migrants and their families, thereby reflecting the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights whose 75th anniversary was marked in 2023.
In his message for International Migrants Day in December, the UN secretary general highlighted the fact that migrants contribute to economic vitality and innovation even as many continue to face discrimination and exploitation. He stressed the importance of ensuring that there are safe, humane, and rights-based migration systems worldwide.
Migration is an integral part of the world economy and of international relations. According to the latest UN estimates presented in an International Organisation for Migration Report, there were approximately 304 million international migrants worldwide in 2024 representing about 3.7 per cent of the global population.
Migration is influenced by economic inequality, demographic trends, conflict, persecution, and the adverse effects of climate change and environmental degradation and the loss of life along migration routes. The UN has established international standards that place human dignity at the centre of its governance. These include the 1990 Convention, the 2016 New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration endorsed by the General Assembly as the first comprehensive and intergovernmental negotiated framework covering all dimensions of international migration.
Egypt is adopting a comprehensive approach in dealing with the issue of migration that takes into account all its economic, social, and security aspects and thereby supports the rights of migrants while addressing the root causes of illegal migration. Egypt is strongly opposed to illegal migration and has adopted effective measures against smugglers. Such migration has been widespread among young men from poorer communities seeking a better life abroad, and unfortunately some of them have lost their lives crossing the Mediterranean Sea.
On the other hand, Egypt supports legal migration among qualified workers seeking opportunities abroad. Through their decision to do so, they can become proud representatives of their country in foreign nations. In that context, we have seen some countries welcome such workers and others strongly oppose their presence.
Finally, let us remember that Egypt is now hosting over ten million foreigners including migrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers, and it is providing them with all the services and support they require. This positive role played by Egypt is a strong argument in favour of further international partnerships and for the provision of financial contributions from the international community that would help Egypt to continue successfully playing its humanitarian role.
*The writer is former assistant foreign minister and member of the UN International Law Commission.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 15 January, 2026 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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