Foreword

Abstract

There are many bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements and conventions aimed at managing migration, particularly in the humanitarian field. Some of these rules work satisfactorily whereas others are not fully implemented. In certain areas, however, no rules or guidelines to regulate interstate cooperation exist. There is, moreover, no global structure through which to manage orderly movements in a cooperative way and which combines efficiency, equity and respect for the interests of the countries of origin, of transit and destination. Although policy makers are becoming gradually more aware that domestic measures alone are not sufficient to effectively manage migration and although migration is now increasingly discussed at the international level, there has been, until now, no broad-based initiative to open up a dialogue between countries of origin, countries of transit and countries of destination on the full range of migration issues.