International Dialogue on Migration No. 13

The relative success of regional frameworks in handling mobility issues is not surprising: the limited number of countries involved can offer better possibilities for finding common ground for cooperation, including in addressing complex migration dynamics. In addition, the largest share of migration flows occur within regions, with people increasingly moving for short and recurring stays, underscoring the importance of regional integration agreements and legal frameworks for the management of these flows. This publication provides a summary of the discussions at a workshop on “Free Movement of Persons in Regional Integration Processes” organized by IOM, in collaboration with UNCTAD, within the framework of IOM’s International Dialogue on Migration. The report analyses the main regional approaches to the liberalized movement of persons, key challenges, and existing policy options. All information contained in this report reflects the situation as at the time of the workshop (July 2007).