Migration, Human Dignity, and Shared Responsibility

On December 18, the United Nations observes International Migrants Day, proclaimed by the General Assembly in resolution A/RES/55/93 of December 4, 2000, coinciding with the date on which the General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (A/RES/45/158) in 1990. In his message for International Migrants Day, the UN Secretary-General highlights that migrants contribute to economic vitality and innovation, while many continue to face discrimination, exploitation, and dangerous journeys, and stresses the importance of safe, humane, and rights-based migration systems.

Migration is an integral part of the world economy and of international relations. According to the latest United Nations estimates presented in the International Organization for Migration’s World Migration Report series and UN DESA data, there were approximately 304 million international migrants worldwide in 2024, representing about 3.7 per cent of the global population. Migration is influenced by economic inequality, demographic trends, conflict, persecution, and the adverse effects of climate change and environmental degradation.

The United Nations has established international standards that place human dignity at the center of migration governance. These include the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, the 2016 New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, endorsed by the General Assembly in resolution A/RES/73/195 as the first comprehensive intergovernmentally negotiated framework covering all dimensions of international migration. The Global Compact links migration governance to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including Sustainable Development Goal target 10.7 (SDG 10), which calls for facilitating orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration approaches.

Migration governance is closely linked to social cohesion and peace. These international standards create the foundation for practical integration policies that are essential to social cohesion. Exclusion and marginalization of migrants exacerbate social and political tensions, while effective integration policies enable migrants to contribute to stability and shared prosperity. In this context, civil society organizations implement projects and provide support by promoting inclusive dialogue and trust-building at the community level, complementing the work of states and United Nations entities. The Summit of the Future further highlights the importance of the governance of human mobility, including the protection of migrants’ rights and their meaningful participation in societies of origin, transit, and destination, as a core element of efforts to strengthen multilateralism and global solidarity.

The Universal Peace Federation, founded by Dr. Hak Ja Han and the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, is an international nongovernmental organization in general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC). Guided by the principle of One Family under God, it supports the work of the United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals and contributes to migration-related efforts through peacebuilding-oriented activities.

UPF initiatives have included humanitarian assistance for refugee communities, for example support for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, as well as public awareness activities, expert dialogues, and mentoring and leadership programs for migrants, including cooperation with initiatives such as the Migrant Leaders program in the United Kingdom. In this context, UPF’s experience in dialogue and community-based engagement may also inform multilateral processes such as the International Dialogue on Migration 2025, which will examine the role of human mobility in development and resilience. 

International Migrants Day serves as an opportunity to review national and local strategies, share good practices, and renew commitments to protect the rights of migrants and their families, reflecting the spirit of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Safe, orderly, and regular migration depends on coordinated action by states, international organizations, and civil society, including efforts to prevent conflict and address its root causes, which remain central to reducing forced displacement.

In the lead-up to key global milestones, including the SDG Moment 2025 and the Second World Summit for Social Development, and in the context of follow-up to the Global Compact for Migration review process launched in 2022, sustained partnerships within the United Nations framework are essential for advancing social cohesion, reducing inequality, and strengthening peaceful and inclusive societies, in line with the vision of a peaceful and sustainable future articulated in the Pact for the Future.

In this spirit, the Universal Peace Federation encourages its Ambassadors for Peace, policy-makers, representatives of international organizations, faith communities, and civil society to strengthen practical cooperation in support of migrants and refugees, with a focus on protecting human dignity, countering discrimination, and building inclusive societies.

Dr. Tageldin Hamad, President, UPF International December 18, 2025