A/RES/71/1
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
3 October 2016
Seventy-first session
Agenda items 13 and 117
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 19 September 2016
[without reference to a Main Committee (A/71/L.1)]
71/1. New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants
The General Assembly
Adopts the following outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting on
addressing large movements of refugees and migrants:
New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants
We, the Heads of State and Government and High Representatives, meet ing at
United Nations Headquarters in New York on 19 September 2016 to address the
question of large movements of refugees and migrants, have adopted the following
political declaration.
I.
Introduction
1.
Since earliest times, humanity has been on the move. Some people move in
search of new economic opportunities and horizons. Others move to escape armed
conflict, poverty, food insecurity, persecution, terrorism, or human rights violations
and abuses. Still others do so in response to the adverse effects of climate change,
natural disasters (some of which may be linked to climate change), or other
environmental factors. Many move, indeed, for a combination of these reasons.
2.
We have considered today how the international community should best respond
to the growing global phenomenon of large movements of refugees and migrants.
3.
We are witnessing in today’s world an unprecedented level of human mobility.
More people than ever before live in a country other than the one in which they
were born. Migrants are present in all countries in the world. Most of them move
without incident. In 2015, their number surpassed 24 4 million, growing at a rate
faster than the world’s population. However, there are roughly 65 million forcibly
displaced persons, including over 21 million refugees, 3 million asylum seekers and
over 40 million internally displaced persons.
4.
In adopting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 1 one year ago, we
recognized clearly the positive contribution made by migrants for inclusive growth
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Resolution 70/1.
16-16163 (E)
*1616163*