At a time when the topic of migration is a global issue, Guyana’s Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge has called for countries to embrace the concept of legal cross-border movement as it comes with many benefits.

He made the remarks at an event organised by the International Organisation for Migration. The event was a consultative forum which focused on the global impact of safe, orderly and regular migration.

“Migration in recent years has been catapulted to the forefront of the international agenda, the large movements of desperate persons, sometimes migrants and refugees and the rise of anti-immigrant political movement has cast a shadow of distrust over migration and migrants themselves. However, we must not allow these challenges to let us forget that migration has been broadly a beneficial movement for peoples across the world,” Minister Greenidge said.

Expanding on these benefits, the Foreign Affairs Minister said migration has largely been a source of economic growth, especially when contributing to innovation and sustainable development.

Greenidge also noted that there is a growing importance of migration when it comes to reducing inequalities and economic disparities.

The Foreign Affairs Minister acknowledged that migration is expected to increase drastically in the future.

“Recognising this reality, nations have the responsibility to take charge of their condition and to ensure action is taken…the basic challenges we have to address are to maximize the benefits of migration, reduce the drivers of migration, protect human rights of all migrants and keep the balance between security and counterproductive restrictive policies,” Greenidge outlined.

In this regard, he said all stakeholders have an important role to play in ensuring that migration safe and orderly especially for those who are vulnerable.

“We must also acknowledge that the narrative surrounding migration today is largely negative and can often be dangerous for those who are most vulnerable. It is of utmost importance that we act to reverse these narratives and not allow xenophobia and racism and other forms of discrimination to drive the agenda,” he stated.

Greenidge issued a call for all stakeholders to play their part in clarifying the misrepresentations of the effects of migration.