The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been a beacon of hope since their adoption in 2015. They help track progress towards a fairer and more sustainable world by 2030. However, as we reach the halfway point -path of this ambitious journey, it is It is time to reflect on our progress to leave no one behind and the challenges that lie ahead.
In this blog post, we highlight the importance of investing in better data as we work to strengthen the critical role of migration in the SDGs and take stock of key indicators that shine a light on this complex issue.
The SDG Summit: the time to act is now
The SDG Summit in New York provided a unique opportunity to assess progress in achieving the 2030 Agenda. After two days of engaging discussions at the Summit, world leaders adopted a political declaration to renew their shared commitment to building a fairer world for all, including migrants.
If we look back at 2015, the year the Agenda was adopted, it becomes clear that we are behind schedule. The last few years have been marked by multiple disruptions. The global pandemic, climate change and emerging conflicts have had a direct impact on global supply chains and cross-border mobility, straining available resources and reshaping cooperation between states and other partners.
So how can we harness the benefits of migration to save the 2030 Agenda? As data practitioners, we have a role to play. Since their inception, the Agenda’s SDGs have been the compass for our work at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which has invested in a more streamlined institutional approach to data by creating the Global Data Institute and uniting its two main data entities – the Global Migration Data Analysis Center (GMDAC) and the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) under one roof. Good migration governance is explicitly mentioned in Objective 10, which aims to reduce inequalities. As a cross-cutting issue, migration is also relevant to almost all other SDGs, including decent work, education, inclusion and partnership. These links are explained in detail in IOM’s flagship report published before the Summit. THE SDG section of the Global Migration Data Portal which we updated ahead of the Summit, sheds additional light on how to adjust SDG data collection to ensure migrant inclusion.
In collaboration with other UN and civil society partners, IOM acts as a co-custodian for reporting and setting standards on two specific SDG indicators: 10.7.2 and 10.7.3.
Indicator 10.7.2 monitors the number of countries with policies to facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility. IOM’s Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative provides valuable additional information in this regard. The MGI enables national and local governments to assess their existing migration policies, laws and frameworks to inform change. With over 100 national governments and 70 local authorities, the program has been deployed in a wide range of contexts, making it particularly relevant to policy discussions on the humanitarian, development and peace nexus.
Indicator 10.7.3 on the preservation of human lives is based on evidence from the Missing Migrants Project, the only global dataset on deaths and disappearances along migration routes. Since its inception in 2014, the project has recorded nearly 60,000 deaths worldwide, and as 2030 approaches, the trend is alarming. 2022 was the deadliest year on record for migration in the Americas and crossings like the Horn of Africa to Yemen. The message is clear: as people continue to risk their lives on journeys across seas, deserts and jungles, we must strengthen our ability to strengthen search and rescue capabilities and improve the availability of escape routes. regular and safe migration.
The power of data to harness the promise of migration
To evaluate our progress, we rely on data. However, data collection is not just about numbers; it’s about the real experiences of people on the ground. These experiences paint an ambivalent picture. On the one hand, research shows that migrants often face disparities in achieving some SDGs. Global reports, for example, reveal a increasing concentration of multiple vulnerability factors, such as displacement, political instability, climate change and food insecurity. Understanding these connections is crucial to collectively addressing global challenges. The SDG Declaration explicitly calls for ensuring that migrants and displaced population groups are not forgotten.
At the same time, we must avoid viewing migrants solely through the lens of vulnerability. The data also contains ample evidence of the overwhelmingly positive role of migrants as contributors to sustainable development. Migration is not only a risk factor, but also a powerful link between societies and economies.
Diaspora communities are an encouraging example. Beyond remittances, these communities build bridges between countries by transferring skills and knowledge. Governments are increasingly investing in policies and programs that empower diasporas in their countries of origin and destination. However, the success of these policies and support measures depends on better data. We need to go beyond counting remittances and improve our understanding of the location, skills and aspirations of diaspora communities.
A recent memory by the Global Data Institute examines the state of the evidence and provides some recommendations for the way forward. Another recent IOM Publication explores existing legal mechanisms that facilitate transnational identity, which can foster diaspora participation, such as multiple nationalities, and the facilitation of tax regimes between communities.
Although remittances make a significant financial contribution and we have global estimates of remittance flows, we also need to measure the broader economic contribution of diasporas and migrants who also engage in investment , commerce and entrepreneurship. IOM actively promotes a coherent approach to conducting diaspora mapping And measure the economic contributions of the diaspora beyond remittances.
Time is counted
We have seven years until 2030. As we move forward, it is crucial to mobilize governments, partners and the private sector. IOM’s flagship report for the SDG Summit highlights the six areas of acceleration. Data must form the foundation of all work towards the SDGs, helping us to break down the goals into specific, achievable targets and address risks and opportunities in a balanced way. The call for better data is further strengthened in UN 2.0 Guidance Note 11where data is designated as one of the key quintets of change, alongside innovation, strategic foresight, digital and behavioral sciences.
Investing in data does not mean capturing more data but working with data more effectively. This means disaggregating data to see how migrants fare in the SDGs compared to other population groups. Disaggregation ensures that development initiatives are tailored to the needs of specific migrant groups. Additionally, innovation in data collection, including the use of big data and social media, can provide a more timely and accurate way to tell migrants’ stories.
Migration is undeniably linked to all the SDGs, impacting areas from governance to inclusion, humanitarian response to economic growth. To ensure that we stay on course towards achieving the 2030 Agenda, we must recognize migrants both in terms of their needs, but also as key agents of positive change.
With the right data, innovation and collaboration, we can harness the potential of migration to build a fairer and more sustainable world for all. The path ahead may be difficult, but we must undertake it with dedication and determination.
For more information on migration data and the SDGs, visit the SDG section of the portal here.
