Ministry of Immigration Hosts Key Mid-Term Meeting on Regional Migration Governance

The Ministry of Immigration convened the mid-term meeting of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration (RCGM) as part of the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM). This two-day event brings together member states and international organisations from across the region, including the USA and Canada, with the aim of enhancing regional cooperation and improving migration governance.

The meeting also serves as a review of Belize’s first semester of leadership of the RCM, during which several regional initiatives were completed. These initiatives included webinars, training courses, research, and workshops designed to strengthen the capacity for improving migration management and protecting migrants.

In her opening remarks, Tanya Santos, CEO in the Ministry of Immigration and President Pro-Tempore, emphasised the RCM’s commitment to enhancing dialogue and cooperation among member states.

She stated, “I reiterate the RCM’s commitment to strengthening ties between our countries by enhancing our dialogue and cooperation to identify areas of convergence and best practices. We further commit to using this knowledge to operationalize our plans of action and agreements, particularly in intersecting areas for the benefit of our region. Alongside our shared vision of safe, orderly, and humane migration, we acknowledge our common interests in human rights, citizen and border security, and the social and economic impacts of migration. Together, we can develop relevant and comprehensive migration frameworks within the region.”

This statement underscores the Ministry’s dedication to fostering unity and collaboration among member states, ensuring that migration policies are effective and respectful of human rights and the region’s socio-economic contexts.

The meeting will continue into its second day of activities tomorrow. CEO Santos is joined by Mrs. Debra Baptist-Estrada, Director of the Department of Border Management and Immigration Services, and an interministerial working group, including officials from various ministries, to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach during Belize’s tenure.

This Mid-Term Meeting will be followed by an end-of-year meeting, which will conclude Belize’s term as President Pro-Tempore, during which further progress and achievements will be reviewed.