News

On the eve of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly, 19 September in New York, heads of state and government discussed large movements of refugees and migrants and related challenges.

The Summit for Refugees and Migrants was opened by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the President of the 71st session of the General Assembly, the President of the World Bank Group, other high-level representatives of the United Nations and heads of state and government, who unanimously acknowledged that the international community had to take urgent and coordinated action to address problems and challenges arising out of the large movements of refugees and migrants.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius, who took part in the high-level summit, said that in order to address the big movement of refugees and illegal immigrants, the countries had to, firstly, address the root causes of the phenomenon, devoting more attention to conflict prevention and good governance, the rule of law and ensuring human rights of refugees and migrants in the country of origin.

According to Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, it is also necessary to combat human trafficking and smuggling, thus, Lithuania’s contribution to operations coordinated by the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (Frontex) is important and significant.

All member states adopted the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants that expresses the political will of world leaders to save lives, protect rights and share responsibility on a global scale. The New York Declaration contains bold commitments to protect the human rights of all refugees and migrants, including the rights of women, children people with disabilities, also to support those countries rescuing, receiving and hosting large numbers of refugees and migrants.

During the opening ceremony, a cooperation agreement was also signed by and between the United Nations and the International Organization for Migration.

“When properly managed, migration can be beneficial to all countries, including the receiving countries. Investment to reduce social exclusion and integration of refugees and immigrants is a step toward a more economically advanced, tolerant and pluralistic society,” said Linkevičius.

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Linkevičius is attending the general debate of the 71st session of the General Assembly and other high-level events in New York as part of the delegation led by the President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė.