Toespraak van minister Koenders bij migratietop tijdens AVVN

Toespraak | 19-09-2016

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Over 65 million people today are either refugees or internally displaced. Almost 4 times the population of my country. Although migration is natural, forced displacement certainly is not. It comes with deep human suffering, caused by the failure of nations to protect their citizens.

Every single person in this room has a responsibility to eradicate the reasons to flee.

Our responsibility is major.

Our responsibility is shared.

And our responsibility is immediate.

Our responsibility is major because too many people are still forced to leave everything behind in exchange for an uncertain future. Too many people are still being exploited. Too many people are still risking their lives.

The Netherlands wishes to underline four priorities to address this crisis:

First, root causes of forced displacement must be addressed – with conflict at the top.

Second, vulnerable groups such as women and children deserve special attention and protection.

Third, migration should be made as regulated as possible.

Fourth, an effective global response requires effective action by the United Nations and each of its members.

The Declaration recognizes these priorities. The Netherlands is therefore happy to support it.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our responsibility is shared because the international community must offer security and protection to people in need. Causes and solutions involve the full participation of all members of the United Nations. The Netherlands welcomes the recognition of that shared responsibility in today’s Declaration. It provides a good basis for collective action. To be clear, each state is responsible for the well-being and safety of its citizens. That responsibility cannot be dodged; it cannot be outsourced to the international community. Likewise, countries that welcome refugees, such as the Netherlands, are responsible for their successful integration in society.

Shared responsibility means that all countries do their part to bring down forced displacement, and to manage its humanitarian consequences when it does occur. They must offer or support legal ways for resettlement and other forms of admission, and provide protection for the most vulnerable.

The Netherlands is taking its responsibility, in close cooperation with the European Union. We are working on broad partnerships on migration with countries of origin and transit. With countries in Africa and countries neighboring Syria. These are partnerships that recognize all interests. They are based on an equal footing. On behalf of the European Union’s High Representative, earlier this year I discussed the outlines of a migration partnership with my colleagues in Mali, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. The agreements we reached are a proof of concept for the equal footing embodied in the Valletta approach.

Together, we’re improving border control. We’re acting against ruthless smugglers of migrants, who put vulnerable lives at risk. And we’re improving regulated migration. Most importantly, together we’re giving people better prospects for a dignified life in their own country or region. As close as possible to their homes.

To name just one example: the Netherlands is funding scholarships for 3500 young Syrian refugees in their host countries in the region. Being able to study gives these refugees a chance for a better future – in the societies that host them, and hopefully, eventually in Syria.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our responsibility is major and it is shared, but it is also immediate. The Netherlands will not wait until both Global Compacts are agreed on in 2018, because our responsibility won’t wait. Suffering won’t wait. Today’s Declaration confirms and supports the efforts that we’re already making – and it encourages all of us to step up those efforts. We must reverse the trend of ever increasing numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons.That’s why I want to set a challenge for all of us today. We should do everything to cut that number of 65 million down by more than two-thirds to less than 20 million by 2030. I ask all of you to join me in this ambition, recognizing our shared responsibility. And I ask all of you to help realize it.

Thank you.