Unlocking positive impacts of migration in cities

The objective of this session is to highlight the positive impact that migration governance can have at a city-level. For this end, the session aims at:

• identifying criteria for successful and sustainable migrant integration in host communities, as well as managing migration in departure and transit cities,
• providing solutions and best-practices for adequate migration governance based on evidence at a city-level, and
• transforming the narrative around migration governance

Migration, asylum and urbanisation are defining features of local realities. Cities are places where people come together to live, work and find opportunities. Increasing global urbanisation and migratory flows, both South-North and South-South, have made cities hubs of diversity and innovation, transforming local governments into key stakeholders.

While migration flows and regulations are managed primarily by national governments, local authorities are coping with the daily challenges of social and economic integration of newcomers and their interaction with the host community.

This increasing diversity and demographic changes brought about by migration have also instigated a series of challenges for national and local governments alike. Among these, the capacity of local governments to provide equal access to rights and basic services for all, including migrants and refugees, has been often hindered by a series of regulatory limitations. In developing countries or where public funds are in short supply, these limitations are exacerbated by the limited role and resources of city authorities to enact effective inclusion of residents. Furthermore, a negative migration narrative is currently fuelling inadequate migration practices globally, leaving hundreds of thousands of refugees, asylum seekers, and IDPs unattended and marginalized.

Beyond these challenges, migration flows represent an opportunity for host communities, such as increased diversity and greater cultural exchanges, economic growth and opportunities with an increased labour force in developed countries, and remittances in developing countries. The key factor to overcome the above challenges and activate the positive impacts of migration is an open and inclusive integration process.

The New Urban Agenda recognises these challenges and its signatories have committed to addressing all forms of discrimination, including against migrants, regardless of their status. The New Urban Agenda also commits to the full respect of human rights for refugees, IDPs and migrants, and to supporting host cities in a spirit of international cooperation. In this sense, it aims at linking successful migration and integration with development at all levels through the involvement of all relevant stakeholders.

Q1: What are the key factors contributing to the successful inclusion and integration of migrants in their host communities?

Q2: What are regular obstacles impeding proper integration processes?

Q3: What type of impact can we expect from the various sources of migration?

Q4: What can be or should be the role of local governments and institutions in the inclusion and integration of migrants?