Belgium, 17 November 2017 - During the Global Conference on Cities and Migration hosted by the city of Mechelen, Belgium, on 16-17 November, a side event was dedicated to the implementation of the Migrants in Countries in Crisis (MICIC) recommendations in Mesoamerica. The event was organized by IOM Costa Rica, represented by its Chief of Mission, Mr. Roeland de Wilde.

From Costa Rica, Gilbert Jiménez, mayor from Desamparados and Juan Bosco Acevedo, mayor from Upala exposed their experiences working in close collaboration with IOM Costa Rica. Desamparados and Upala are two of the municipalities that host the highest number of migrants in Costa Rica.Participants in the side event represented the region well beyongd Central America: it included mayors from Ecuador, as well as representatives of the municipalities of Mexico City and Sao Paolo, among others.

The discussion generated inputs that were included in the Mechelen Declaration. Participants committed to work in collaboration to implement the MICIC Guidelines and to generate economic conditions to reduce irregular, high-risk migration.

The Mesoamerica Program, financed by the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration of the Department of State of the United States of America, contributed to the design of this event. The Program has the objective of promoting regular, safe and orderly migration in Mesoamerica, ensuring the protection of the most vulnerable migrants.

Source: IOM's Programa Mesoamerica