Why cohesion between the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the SDGs is key

I attended the FfD Conference where the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) was adopted.  Migration and remittances were positively included in the outcome document. However, it will be important to ensure policy coherence and alignment on what have been adopted in Addis and what will be adopted in the SDGs.

The following points included in the Ffd agenda will need to be included in the proposed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September:

1. Lower the costs of recruitment for migrants and combat unscrupulous recruiters
2. Access to and portability of earned benefits
3. Enhance recognition of foreign qualifications, education and skills
4. Facilitate social integration and combat xenophobia
5. Address the most significant obstacles to the continued flow of remittances, such as the trend of banks withdrawing services, to work towards access to remittance transfer services across borders.
6. Increase coordination among national regulatory authorities to remove obstacles to non-bank remittance service providers accessing payment system infrastructure, and promote conditions for cheaper, faster and safer transfer of remittances in both source and recipient countries, including by promoting competitive and transparent market conditions.
7. Exploit new technologies, promote financial literacy and inclusion, and improve data collection.

The Final draft of the outcome document for the UN Summit to adopt the Post-2015 Development Agenda commits to pursue policy coherence for sustainable development at all levels and with all actors. If that it is the case, it will be very important that what was adopted on migration and remittances in AAAA is also being included in the Post-2015 Development Agenda to avoid costs, overlapping activities and contradictory initiatives through the negative effects of incompatible policies.  For example, if lowering the costs of recruitment of migrants will not be included in the Post 2015 Development Agenda, it will be difficult to ensure monitoring and accountability of the implementation of this initiative under the FfD. Ensuring alignment will minimize contradictions and build synergies between the FfD and the Post 2015 Development agenda to benefit all the countries.

This post first appeared on The World Bank People Move Blog.

Publication does not imply endorsement of views by the World Economic Forum.

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Author: Sonia Plaza is a Senior Economist in the Development Economics Prospects Group of the World Bank.

Image: A general view shows part of the capital Addis Ababa at night, Ethiopia. REUTERS/Siegfried Modola