Parliamentarians from the Americas and the Caribbean Gather in San José, Costa Rica, to Discuss Migration in the Hemisphere
More than 50 parliamentarians from 19 countries and 2 territories across the Americas and the Caribbean will gather in San José, Costa Rica, on October 23, 24 and 25 to participate in the hemispheric interparliamentary meeting Migration in the Context of Socio-Environmental Challenges, organized by the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, ParlAmericas, and the Forum of Presidents of Legislative Bodies of Central America and the Caribbean (FOPREL).
The meeting marks the occasion of the 8th Gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Climate Change and Sustainability, the 16th Gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network for Gender Equality, and the IX Meeting of the Interparliamentary Commission on Women’s Rights and Gender Equity of the Forum of Presidents of the Legislative Bodies of Central America and the Caribbean (FOPREL).
The inaugural session will feature welcoming remarks from Member of the Legislative Assembly Rodrigo Arias (Costa Rica), President of the Legislative Assembly and President pro tempore of FOPREL; Senator Blanca Ovelar (Paraguay), President of ParlAmericas; Ariel Alvarado Urbina, Executive Secretary of FOPREL; and Member of the Legislative Assembly Carolina Delgado (Costa Rica), Chair of the FOPREL Interparliamentary Commission on Women’s Rights and Gender Equity, ParlAmericas Board Member of and host of the Gathering.
The Americas and the Caribbean face unprecedented migratory challenges driven by environmental, economic and social pressures, including displacement induced by climate change, disasters due to natural hazards, economic crises and sociopolitical instability. These forces drive millions of people to cross borders each year, highlighting the urgent need for responsible and human rights-centred migration governance.
The high-level dialogue opening the event, titled “Responsible Migration Governance in a World of Environmental and Social Uncertainty,” will feature Ana Durán, Deputy Regional Director for the Americas of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Dr. Natasha Kay Mortley, Strategic Advisor to the Commission on Migration and Gender, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). This session will provide a comprehensive overview of current migratory realities in the region and consider the parliaments’ role in adopting a human rights and gender equality approach to migration measures, setting the context for the rest of the sessions during the meeting.
Quotes
Member of the Legislative Assembly Carolina Delgado (Costa Rica), ParlAmericas Board Member and Chair of the FOPREL Interparliamentary Commission on Women’s Rights and Gender Equity
“As parliamentarians, it is essential that we also recognize the opportunities that human mobility can offer our societies. When managed properly, migration can be a source of economic and social development, contributing to the diversification of our economies and the strengthening of our communities.”
Senator Blanca Ovelar (Paraguay), ParlAmericas President
“As legislators, we have the responsibility to address the deep and structural causes of migration, while also seeking articulated solutions that ensure those who cross borders in search of safety, opportunities or a better life are treated with dignity and respect.”
