Sudharshan Canagarajah MIRPAL Coordinator, World Bank Europe and Central Asia Region

 CIS countries are among the nations with the highest emigration rates in the World (Armenia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic)  50 million migrants and the region account for a third of all developing country emigration  11% in ECA live outside their country of birth compared to 3% globally.  Russia is a major labor importing country in the CIS making it a second largest migration corridor in the World (only next to the US)  EU is becoming increasingly the major migration corridor with substantial challenges  Most ECA countries will experience dramatic population declines and as a result increasing dependency ratio and thus highlighting the importance of migration management 2

 Remittances represent a large portion of GDP in several CIS countries included in top recipients of remittances in the World (Tajikistan tops the World at about 40% of GDP in 2009 followed by Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova)  Remittance flows to CIS countries are large relatively to other resource flows (next to FDI, multiple times larger than ODA)  A sharp decline in remittances is one of the key factors behind slow and negative economic growth in CIS.  Migration and remittances are thought to be a major force of poverty reduction in less developed ECA CIS countries, source of FOREX and budget revenues (via remittance fueled imports/consumption). 3

 Started in 2009 with Moscow Protocol for CIS Migration Management  Response to Global economic crisis related migration challenges – third annual conference.  Every year since 2009 we have carried out 8-10 VCs, for 300 plus members with 20 plus experts invited.  MIRPAL supported with funding from WB internal resources, DFID TF (CARMP) and support of international/regional organizations (IOM, UN, EURASEC, etc) and national governments  9 countries have national coordinators, assistants to coordinators, WB country coordinators who manage the work with WB support from Washington DC  Moscow based think tank (Century 21) acts as secretariat of national chapters of MIRPAL community. 4

 Policies and Programs for migration need to be results oriented: The role of the State – we can not achieve results with piece meal approach. We need to link migration to growth and development challenges. We need institutional reforms with capacity building.  Preparing Migrants for Jobs Abroad: Pre Departure is not just a concern of sending but also receiving countries. It is Skills. ◦ win-win for all stakeholders: countries, agencies, IFIs, NGOs ◦ win-win for all themes: growth, poverty reduction, employment  Protecting the Welfare of Migrants- Migrants are not an accident in economic history – they are integral for demographic transition and development agenda of all countries. Role of sending and receiving country needs attention. 5

4 key areas :  Analytical and Research work;  Knowledge management;  Technical Assistance; and  Advocacy and outreach. 2 dimensions: regional work in CIS and country-specific work 6

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