GCM Objectives
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Summary
In the current context of the pandemic, the world needs solidarity and cooperation more than ever. Migration is one of the areas most affected by the global pandemic. Restrictions imposed by states on international border crossings have caused difficulties for foreigners and stateless persons outside the country of origin. On May 7, 2020, a video-conference meeting of the heads of migration agencies and relevant authorities of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (now Organization of Turkic States) held to learn, discuss and find ways out of the situation of migrants staying and residing in their territories who are in a difficult situation because of the closure of borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic at the initiative of Mr. Ilham Aliyev the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States on April 10. During the meeting, the measures taken by the member and observer states to prevent pandemic were discussed and a number of decisions were made to ensure that migrants have access to basic services, find solutions to the difficulties they face. Along with the Secretary General of the Turkish Council (now Organization of Turkic States), the video conference was attended by heads of migration agencies of Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Hungary. Taking into account the closeness of language and culture among the member and observer states of the Turkic Council (Organization of Turkic States), the intensity of mutual migration, in order to continue discussions in the current (pandemic) crisis, as well as in the next stage, to solve the issues arising promptly and to further expand joint activities, the proposal to establish a working group consisting of representatives of the relevant agencies of the member and observer states was put forward and adopted unanimously.
Collaborators
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Benefit and Impact
1. Cooperating in the field of migration within the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (now Organization of Turkic States) and the establishment of a "Migration Coordination Group" consisting of senior officials of each Party responsible for coordinating all areas of migration cooperation between the Parties;
2. Extension of stay and temporary residence permits of citizens of the Member and Observer States of the Turkic Council (now Organization of Turkic States) until the end of restrictions on international border crossings due to the pandemic. When extending the periods of stay and temporary residence, the well-managed exit periods of the citizens of the Turkic Council Member and Observer States after the end of the restrictions should be taken into account.
3. Simplifying other immigration requirements to enable citizens of Member States to stay in the destination countries after the intended period.
4. Avoiding from taking administrative / punitive measures against citizens who violate the rules related to visas and residence permits during the pandemic;
5. Provide comprehensive assistance to citizens of Member and Observer States, including those staying in the transit areas of airports and border crossing points in each other's territories;
6. Reconsider the appeal of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to legalize undocumented migrant workers who came to the Member States to work before the pandemic.
Key Lessons
"Migration Coordination Group" consisting of senior officials of each Party responsible for coordinating all areas of migration cooperation between the Parties was established. Such meetings are planned to be held regularly to address the problems foreigners and stateless persons faced during and after pandemic.
Recommendations(if the practice is to be replicated)
GCM Guiding Principles*
Innovation
As a result of this conference, "Migration Coordination Group" consisting of senior officials of each Party responsible for coordinating all areas of migration cooperation between the Parties was established. And Migration Coordination Group’s meeting was held in August, 2020.
The decisions made at the conference (as well as in migration meetings of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (now Organization of Turkic States) have played a major role in solving the problems caused by the pandemic for foreigners and stateless persons and remain active to this day. implementing the decisions of
More countries can be involved in this meeting and this would contribute to solving problems foreigners and stateless persons faced in more countries. As the experience is focused on solving the problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is very easy to adapt to the changing conditions caused by the pandemic.
Additional Resources
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Disclaimer: The content of this practice reflects the views of the implementers and does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations, the United Nations Network on Migration, and its members.