World leaders have gathered in Türkiye as the International Organisation for Migration organised a conference tackling how to advance migrant protection by making forms of legal identity readily available to represent a minority group. The international spotlight fell on this issue thanks to the participation of representatives from governments, international authorities and organisations and the private sector all wanting ID to acknowledge migrants and legitimise their legal movements around the world due to work/study visas, or an asylum application. Not all net migration is illegal and many asylum seekers have legal authorised permission to migrate to another place for safety reasons, to escape poverty or restrictions on working. Having an ID should make the legal process of migration easier, whilst curbing entry from unauthorised people.
“This conference comes at a critical moment as governments transition toward digital identity systems, especially in Africa and the Middle East,” said Nelson Goncalves, IOM Head of Legal Identity Unit. “We see strong interest in learning and exchanging experiences to ensure these systems are inclusive, secure, and benefit the most vulnerable.”
All leaders had a vested interest in discussing how digital identity is also an innovation for the travel sector to strengthen migration governance systems.
Legal identity is a “fundamental human right and a key enabler of safe, orderly and regular migration”, the IOM said. Yet millions of migrants worldwide still “lack recognised identification, restricting access to essential services, legal pathways and protection”.
Participants included officials from Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, and Syria. They focused on demonstrating inclusive real-world solutions, including biometrics, mobile-based identity and other digital tools.
