No: 272, 13 October 2015

The 8^th Summit Meeting of the Global Forum on Migration and Development, which has been chaired by Turkey since 1 July 2014 will be hosted by H.E. Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, on 14-16 October 2015 in İstanbul.

H.E. Ahmet Davutoğlu, Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey will inaugurate the Summit.

150 countries will be represented in the Summit and high level officials of international organizations, particularly UN Deputy Secretary-General, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UN Alliance of Civilizations High Representative, and UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for International Migration as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations will attend it. EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship will participate in the Summit, as well. It is expected that the number of participants will reach approximately 1000 persons.

The overarching theme of Turkish Chairmanship is defined as “Strengthening Partnerships: Migration and Human Mobility for Sustainable Development” in line with the idea that an effective international migration management can only be achieved through cooperation among states, international organizations, civil society and private sector.

As a country currently providing protection for more than two million Syrians, Turkey’s Chairmanship of the Forum is an indicator of its active efforts regarding the link between migration and development, which also has a significant place on the agenda of the United Nations.

The 8^th Summit Meeting of the Global Forum on Migration and Development will provide an opportunity at the global level, to highlight once again the effective policies pursued by Turkey in the field of migration management based on its experience emanating from its history.