Türkiye urges fairer burden-sharing on migration at UN forum

Türkiye urged stronger international cooperation and fairer responsibility-sharing in addressing global migration challenges on Friday, warning that frontline countries continue to shoulder a disproportionate burden from displacement crises. Turkish Ambassador to the UN Ahmet Yıldız said migration management must focus on humanitarian concerns and the root causes driving displacement.

Global responsibility

"Combating irregular migration is not only a security crisis but also a global responsibility requiring international solidarity with the origin and transit countries, already under huge migratory pressure," Yıldız told delegates during the general debate of the Second International Migration Review Forum at the UN General Assembly. He said Türkiye, located at the crossroads of major migration routes, has extensive experience managing large-scale refugee movements and continues to face significant migratory pressure.

Disproportionate burden

"Unfortunately, we face the most serious displacement crisis while the burden and responsibility continue to remain disproportionately upon the shoulders of a limited number of countries," he said. Yıldız said international migration frameworks should place greater emphasis on preventing the externalization of migration responsibilities and ensuring equitable burden-sharing among nations.

Türkiye's experience

"Türkiye's experience as a frontline state for over a decade has demonstrated that international solidarity and equitable burden-sharing are indispensable for a fair and effective global migration governance system," according to the ambassador. Türkiye hosts 2.3 million Syrian refugees under temporary protection, with most support financed through national resources.

Progress made

Yıldız said Ankara has made significant progress in areas aligned with the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), including combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking, improving data-driven migration governance, expanding training programs, and digitizing migration services.