Today on International Migrants Day, we acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of diaspora and migrant communities worldwide. International Migrants Day emphasizes the importance of upholding the rights and dignity of all migrants, regardless of their backgrounds or reasons for migration and highlights the positive contributions they make in their host and destination countries.
The recently concluded Global Diaspora Week (#GDWeek) organized by the Global Diaspora Confederation, supported by IOM-UN Migration brought together over 170 speakers from across regions, more diaspora leaders, experts, governments, corporations and stakeholders from over 70 countries to create a collective impact positively affecting over 40 million diaspora population.
Harnessing the successful progress on event ideas at last year's GDWeek, GDWeek 2023 with the theme, "Collective Diaspora Impact in the context of Global Partnership' anchoring on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 17 as an avenue to accelerate all other SDGs, wherein we featured two of our major activities- Global Diaspora Forum (GDForum) and Global Diaspora Academy (GDAcademy). We likewise piloted the Young Diaspora Talks, Diaspora Training Toolkit, Humanitarian Meeting and the grand finale, Global Diaspora Assembly (GDAssembly).
As we reflect on the events of the #GDWeek 2023, our sincere appreciation and gratitude goes to every single person, partners, speakers, attendees and volunteers who in one way or the other contributed to the overall success of this year's event.
On this International Migrants day, let us continue to build global solidarity for the economic and social advancement for all.
Once again, thank you for your immense support to GDWeek 2023. From our team to yours, a very happy holidays!