The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Tunisia, Arnaud Peral, affirmed the readiness of the UN and its institutions to continue to support and accompany Tunisia in the implementation of its priority development programs so that it can achieve its objectives in terms of socio-economic development.
During a visit on Friday to the National Migration Observatory, he emphasized the importance of good management of migration serving the interests of all (transit countries, countries of reception, and migrants).
He underlined the need to strengthen international cooperation in this area and establish channels of dialogue and a common action plan regarding a number of important challenges, such as the root causes of migration, the protection of vulnerable groups of migrants and refugees, in particular unaccompanied children and women, and access to health services and social integration while respecting fundamental principles of human rights.
Arnaud Peral was accompanied by the Head of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Tunisia, Azouz Samri, the representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Tunisia, Monica Noro and the representative of the Nations Fund United for Children (UNICEF) in Tunisia, Michel Le Pechoux.
The visit also took place in the presence of representatives of the various structures under the Tunisian Ministry of Social Affairs (National Migration Observatory, the Office for Tunisians Abroad and the General Authority for Social Promotion).
Representatives of structures under the Ministry of Social Affairs affirmed Tunisia’s commitment to the protection of migrants and its constant effort to provide them with the necessary assistance and facilitate their access to basic services.
They also underlined the importance of coordinating efforts between national authorities, international organizations and the different components of civil society to support vulnerable migrants residing in Tunisia who need psychological and social care.
The Director General of the National Migration Observatory stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with United Nations agencies as well as the exchange of ideas, experiences, expertise and partnerships with all parties.
The Observatory is ready, he said, to carry out research and studies in areas related to migration such as migration and climate change, the link between migration and sustainable development, the importance of statistical data on migrants and their role in governance, the formulation of migration policies, the protection of migrants’ rights, the strengthening of their social and economic integration and the guarantee of the protection of Tunisians residing abroad.
