OBSERVANCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY

ASTANA 18^th December, 2014. In Astana, IOM in Kazakhstan in cooperation with the Academy for Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan held a round table devoted to the International Migrants Day. 

On 18th Dec 1990, the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations. Ten years later, the UN, taking into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world, proclaimed 18th of December International Migrants’ Day. Since then, international and non-governmental organizations have been invited to celebrate this day to bring to the public attention the issues migrants face around the world.

IOM Kazakhstan commemorated this anniversary on the International Migrants’ Day, by presenting IOM activities in the global, regional and national levels. IOM’s theme for the International Migrants Day 2014 was “Saving Migrants Lives.” Globally, there are 232 million international migrants and 740 internal migrants, what makes a total of one billon migrants (one seventh of the total world population). Within this number of migrants, already 8,868 have been registered as dead from January to December 2014, as stated by IOM recent data, showing the world their vulnerability and the danger they have to go through in order to pursue their dream of living a better life.

This year, representatives of National Agencies, International Organizations and NGOs spoke broadly about the situation of migration issues in Kazakhstan, and contributed to save migrants lives by rising awareness amongst the population. The distinguished speakers were Mr. Dejan Keserovic, Coordinator for Central Asia, Chief of Mission in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan; Mr. Bolatbek Abdrassilov, Rector of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Mr. Sarbazov Akmady,  Chairman of the Committee on Labour, Social Protection and Migration, Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Mr. Shavkat Ismailov, Chairman of the «Ethno - cultural association Kyrgyzstan- Astana», Assembly of the People of  Kazakhstan; Mr. Talgat Doskenov, Chairman of the Committee for Social Sphere and Social Partnership within the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs; and Ms. Anna Ryl, Director of the NGO « Korgau-Astana». The event counted on the presence and support of Mr. Stephen Tull, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan. A video on IOM activities in Kazakhstan was shown to the participants explaining the challenges and prospects that the Organization is facing.  Amongst the participants were representatives of Embassies, International Organizations, Ministries and Agencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and NGOs.

At the end of the event, the national partners were awarded for their work and devotion to improving migrants’ lives with Appreciation Letters.

In 2014, IOM Kazakhstan and its partners have provided legal assistance to over 50,000 migrants.