In a Monday message,  UN Secretary-General António Guterres  said evidence overwhelmingly shows that migrants generate economic, social, and cultural benefits for societies everywhere, yet, hostility towards migrants is growing around the world. Solidarity with migrants has never been more urgent, he said.

Director-General of the International Organization of Migration (IOM) William Lacy Swing made an urgent call for safe migration in a world on the move, which is the theme of the 2017 edition of International Migrants Day. Swing underscored the benefits of the Global Compact for Migration, which could be adopted by the end of 2018.