Speech by Sir Peter Sutherland UN Special Representative for International Migration and Development at the Athens CSD Closing Ceremony

November 3, 2009

Peter Sutherland started his speech at the closing plenary of CSD Athens 2009 with a detailed reference to the path up to the CSD 2009.
After discussing the establishment and various issues around the CSD, he continued: “…So we built this fragile issue of the Civil Society juxtapositioned with the main meeting and bringing governments into an engagement, which has been increasing very significantly this year over the last year, for an example, and gradually creating a constructive dialogue, which is dependent upon the CS coming up with concrete proposals and ideas linked to the subject matters which are going to be discussed the following day. Three more hosts have agreed to carry the torch. In 2013 there will be a full re-evaluation.
Issues are very difficult and complicated. In particular they are difficult in the Interface between the CS, which has such a fundamentally important role to play in being a nexus between the actual problems and their solution, and governments who have believed this Forum to be an opportunity to swap best practices, to develop communications between countries of origin, transfer and destination, and to maintain a productive dialogue that will bring about concrete results. There’s more we could do and will do; there’s no doubt.

After a long process of preparation and two days of conference, the CSDs become an orphan. Every year a new foundation emerges to adopt its organization. The CSD couldn’t have a better adoptive family than the Onassis Foundation. From the very first moment, the Onassis Foundation undertook this effort with complete dedication, starting from a standing start of not being particularly in the area of Migration and Development. It assembled an exceptional team of young Greek experts and volunteers and scholars to guide the substantive work. It consulted closely with the International Advisory Committee which was set up and raised the level of transparency and created a rich and interesting website to spur dialogue and form the debate.
For all her efforts I’d like to specially thank Marianna Moschou; her focus on endowing the CS with real meaning and purpose has taken this to a new level.
I am also grateful to Anthony Papadimitriou for having the vision to take on the enormous plunge of organizing the CSD. I think Aristotle Onassis would be justifiably very proud of all that’s been achieved”.

Then he underscored the continued commitment of UN secretary general Ban ki-Moon and said “the UN creates the legitimacy of the whole process”. He also thanked DESA and UN Population Division.

Coming back to CSD Athens 2009, he stressed that the Interface sessions were not just tokenism but real dialogue.
“Another innovation here in Athens is the emphasis placed in drawing in the Private Sector. This has been less successful. The Private Sector feels this is somebody else’s problem. But we are beginning to get there. And now we have some people who are anxious to help us. The Organizing Committee decided to add a new roundtable (Building Alliances). Discussions there have been fruitful. There’s profound interest in the issue which is going to grow as one of the great issues of our time. We’ve struck a rich vain of cooperation.
One of the most important things this year is the beginning of a conversation about the Future of the CSD. Despite its success so far, the CSDs need greater definition and organization. The question is whether they can evolve to something more than a preparatory event. Could it play a catalytic view in organizing Civil Society around Migration and Development issues? I very much look forward to following the evolution of the debate on the CS future.
I should mention one more innovation: the Hestia Prize; it’s a heartening symbol of the long-term commitment of the Onassis Foundation that has established a generous prize to honour the work of Civil Society groups committed to the integration of immigrants”.

In closing I’d like to underscore how delighted I am that Mexico will be the host of the event in 2010 and that Bancomer will lead the CSDs. Nearly four years ago nobody could have seen where we would be today. Many countries had concerns about how the Forum would be run. The fact that not only has it succeeded, but that Mexico has undertaken a leadership role, is a great moment. Thank you Mexico.
I should also point out that once upon a time the United States was opposed to the Forum in principle. I’m equally delighted that for the first time Washington has sent a high level delegation to the Forum and also has joined the GFMD Steering Group.
So all roads lead to Puerto Vallarta.