Foreward – World Economic Forum’s “Migration and Its Impact on Cities” Report
The World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Migration comprises global experts, policymakers and practitioners from the public and private sector, , who together are exploring the future of migration. Characteristics of the future migration system include::
- Increasingly complex consequences of migration and displacement challenging traditional roles
and responsibilities - Economic migration increasingly shifting the geography of prosperity
- Climate change contributing to the prospect of more people on the move
- The growth of cross-border commuting
- Increasing global competition for talent and skilled workers
The Council was delighted to work with the World Economic Forum Future of Urban Development and
Services Initiative, to progress its deep dive on migration and cities, recognizing that we are living in an
increasingly urban world, where migrants are drawn to cities in search of economic, social and creative
opportunities.
Cities are the epicentres of innovative solutions to ensure that migrants can maximize their
contributions to the economic and social fabric of communities. All too often policy-makers business
leaders have failed to collaborate to realize the potential of migrants in cities, as well as address
the risks, but the greatest impact is seen when public- and private-sector leaders collaborate to
ensure that their city is a welcome destination for migrants – and one that ensures their full economic
participation. Community groups that serve migrant populations are a critical component of local
migration integration policies, as they are the most intertwined with the community. All politics are local– and no more so than in the context of migration.
National and municipal government have a clear role and responsibility to develop and manage a
migration system that ensures nation states and cities have the workers needed today and in the
future. With an ageing population, especially in North American, European, Japanese and South
Korean cities, more of the workers needed for the future economic vitality of cities will be migrants,
and these migrants must be integrated.
We hope that his report will help to inform city leaders of the innovative approaches they can take
to address the issue of migration in their cities, recognizing the opportunities presented by migration
and leveraging public-private collaboration to maximise the opportunities and find smart and efficient
ways of delivering urban infrastructure and services to meet the needs of its migrant population. We
also find the report extremely timely, as it can help to inform the forthcoming United Nations Global
Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, offering the unique perspective on how migration is benefiting cities around the world.
Read the World Economic Forum’s “Migration and Its Impact on Cities Report.