International migration

The Arab region is experiencing unprecedented flows of international migration, with the region hosting around 40 million migrants.

Migration has gained prominence on policymakers’ agendas across Arab countries. This policy momentum is driven by the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), and the recognition that well-governed migration drives sustainable development in the Arab region.

ESCWA is leading efforts to address the knowledge gap on international migration in the region, foster regional collaboration and dialogue based on a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, and build the capacity of member States and relevant stakeholders to develop migration governance frameworks in line with GCM.

Our approach

Our partners

ESCWA partners with the League of Arab States, IOM, ILO and 19 United Nations agencies, funds, and programmes under the Issue-based Coalition on Migration in the Arab Region.

Our activities

ESCWA publishes the flagship Situation Report on International Migration, which has become a reference for regionalized migration data and policy analysis in the Arab region. ESCWA and its partners contribute to the identification of regional priorities and challenges in the area of migration and explore solutions through capacity-building workshops and regional meetings, including the GCM regional review. ESCWA also co-convenes the Issue-based Coalition on Migration in the Arab Region.