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Trinidad and Tobago Ready to contribute to Regional Migration Policy – National Security Minister

Tuesday 9 July 2024 (CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown): Trinidad and Tobago’s National Security Minister, the Honourable Fitzgerald Hinds, says the country is committed to contributing to the development of a regional migration policy framework that reflects the priorities of the People of the Caribbean Community. 

He affirmed this during the opening session of the workshop to design the migration policy framework that is intended to accurately capture the needs and ambitions of Caribbean people.

The CARICOM Secretariat and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), are hosting a pivotal three-day workshop (8 – 10 July) entitled “Towards a Regional Approach to a Migration Policy in the Caribbean—Realizing A Shared Vision,” in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. This workshop is a crucial platform for National Focal Points (NFPs) from CARICOM Member States and representatives of relevant regional and international organisations to craft the regional migration policy framework.

Minister Hinds reiterated  Trinidad and Tobago’s unwavering commitment to work with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, IOM, all the United Nations agencies, and CARICOM Member States on migration, and expressed his deep appreciation for the collaboration and expertise each entity brings to the table.

“Trinidad and Tobago stands ready to contribute constructively to the development of a regional migration policy that reflects our collective values and aspirations and circumstances,” stated the Minister. 

He went on to state that the policy should not only address the current migration realities. “They should prepare us for future challenges. Let us re-affirm our commitment to a CARICOM that stands united in its approach to migration, recognising the transformative potential while safeguarding the rights and dignity of the individual.”

In his remarks, the Minister also advocated for a collective effort to craft the framework . “As we embark on this journey together, let us harness the expertise, the insights and the experiences that we already have among us as we gather here today to shape the policy framework that is in front of us,” the Minister stated.

Several initiatives implemented by the Trinidad and Tobago government to assist migrants, particularly those from Venezuela, were also highlighted.

He emphasised that the Region can chart a path forward that promotes regional integration and enhances the safety and security of all its citizens and visitors. The Minister noted, “I am very proud to say I am a citizen of the Region.  I will take the opportunity to congratulate the leaders of the Region for the tactical implementation of regional integration.”

Minister Hinds shares additional thoughts on the Regional Migration Policy in the video below:

Editor’s Notes:

Why a Regional Migration Policy?

In February 2019, CARICOM Heads of Government at the 19th Special Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the CARICOM Community on Security mandated “the CARICOM Secretariat, along with CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), to collaborate with the relevant United Nations (UN) Agencies on the development of a Regional Migration Policy.” As a result, the CARICOM Secretariat engaged the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Network on Migration to support the Community in this effort. IOM activated the UN Network while the CARICOM Secretariat engaged multiple Community Institutions to create a steering committee and advisory group to provide broad international expertise and guidance.

Workshop participants:

The workshop brought together representatives from the 15 CARICOM Member States, as well as relevant regional and international organisations, including the CARICOM Secretariat, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and multiple United Nations Agencies that participate in the UN Network on Migration, including IOM, International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UN Women, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and others.

Helpful links:

CARICOM Stakeholders Meet to Craft Regional Approach to Migration Policy

Regional Policy Being Developed to Address Migration Priorities, Challenges and Opportunities

Second Workshop held to Develop Regional Migration Policy

Process to Develop Regional Migration Policy Progressing

Migration Governance Indicators – what are they?

https://gmdac.iom.int/migration-governance-indicators

Access validated MGI assessments and reports

https://www.migrationdataportal.org/dashboard-mgi-central-america-mexico-the-caribbean

Migration4Development (M4D) Video Docu-Series

  • Migration 4 Development Part 1: Why a Migration Policy?
  • Migation4Development | Part 2: Every Voice Must be Heard: Building a Migration Policy
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