Prime Minister Najla Bouden stressed the need to step up efforts and consolidate international cooperation and solidarity in dealing with the issue of migration. Speaking as she met with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, Tuesday in Geneva, Bouden emphasised the imperative of taking into consideration the various aspects - security, economic, social, financial and health - in order to help support migrants and help host countries overcome crises. She also urged the international community to assume its responsibility to help respond effectively to the refugee crisis, particularly following the unprecedented increase in the number of migrants, which now exceeds 100 million. At the same time, Bouden stressed Tunisia's commitment to the values of refugee protection and respect for the international covenants on refugee protection and human rights. The meeting addressed ways of consolidating cooperation between Tunisia and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in order to respond appropriately to the phenomenon of migration, which is proliferating as a result of the repercussions of armed conflicts around the world and the effects of climate change. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees told TAP that the meeting had been fruitful and had provided an opportunity to examine possible ways of helping Tunisia to manage the migration issue in partnership with other organisations and countries. Dealing with the issue of migration in Tunisia is extremely complicated, given that Tunisia receives a large flow of migrants, many of whom are trying to travel to Europe, he noted. PM Bouden is taking part in the Summit on the World of Work organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, from June 13 to 15. The summit, on the theme of «social justice for all,» will focus in particular on the central role of social justice in building a more sustainable and equitable world, and will provide an opportunity to discuss the project to create a global alliance for social justice.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse