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Secretary-General's message on International Migrants Day

18 December, 2024
Secretary-General's message on International Migrants Day

On International Migrants Day, we celebrate the contributions millions of migrants make to communities, economies and countries around the world.

But today is also a day to remind ourselves of the challenges migrants can face — from prejudice and discrimination, to outright violence and abuse, to the unimaginable cruelty of human trafficking.

These challenges are made worse by the rising tide of mis and disinformation and hate speech which sows division and distorts the valuable contributions migrants are making each and every day. 

As a global community, we must summon our common humanity, and work to reverse these harmful trends.

The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, adopted six years ago, provides concrete solutions to protect migrants at every step of their journeys and continue expanding rights-based pathways for migration.

And through the recently adopted Pact for the Future, the countries of the world re-committed to strengthening international partnerships and global cooperation for safe, orderly and regular migration.

Today and every day, let’s stand up for the rights of all migrants and work to create safe, humane and inclusive migration systems.