IPA CIS reviewed the draft of new version of Concept Paper of Common Migration Area of CIS Member Nations

On 2 April, the first meeting of the working group to prepare a new version of the Concept Paper of Common Migration Area of the CIS Member Nations was held at the headquarters of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly. Representatives from parliaments, relevant ministries, and international organizations discussed changes in the labor market structure, migration flows between the Commonwealth countries, the process of digitalization, and the dissemination of digital services.

Secretary General of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS Council Dmitriy Kobitskiy addressed the participants of the meeting and emphasized that the new version of the Concept will align with international legal norms and the interests of all CIS countries.

Deputy Chair of the IPA CIS Permanent Commission on Social Policy and Human Rights, Chair of the Committee on Social Policy Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic Vinera Raimbachaeva noted the significant experience accumulated by CIS countries in regulating migration processes.

First Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee for CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Kazbek Taisayev emphasized the role of the Concept Paper in coordinating migration policy, simplifying the movement of citizens, developing a common labor market, and exchanging experiences.

By 2024, the volume of labor migration is expected to reach 4.5 million people per year, while educational migration will amount to about 400,000. There has also been a significant increase in the number of women and children among migrants: the number of children has risen to 600,000, and women to 92,000. The draft revises the regulatory framework, terminology, and factors influencing migration, such as demographic indicators and economic inequality.

The discussion of the document included Chair of the Commission on Labor Migration of the Russian Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industry, President of the International Alliance “Labor Migration” Nikolai Kurdyumov, Deputy Head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus for program activities Cynthia Lee, and Regional Advisor on Partnerships from the European Regional Office of WHO Baktygul Karryeva.

The participants of the meeting will formulate comments and suggestions on the draft Concept by 1 June, 2025.