Delivering the closing speech of the forum, Mehmet Sabit Göktaş, the Academy Coordinator of the Migration and Diaspora Foundation, stated that the legal, logistical, economic, social, and humanitarian dimensions of safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return were discussed comprehensively in the panels and workshops held on July 21-22.
Emphasis on Regional Cooperation and Shared Responsibility
Expressing that the evaluations of participants from different countries and institutions once again demonstrated that regional migration mobility is not a single country's issue but a regional matter requiring shared responsibility and strong cooperation, Göktaş summarized the workshop outputs under the following headings: reducing legal and bureaucratic obstacles to return, strengthening cross-border coordination, and ensuring regular data sharing between countries.
Stating that increasing employment in return areas, developing sustainable development models, and creating regional financing mechanisms were considered among the priority needs, Göktaş relayed that the necessity of protecting social cohesion and local stability after return, securing property rights, and strengthening psychosocial support mechanisms was also emphasized.
Expressing that establishing permanent cooperation networks among public institutions, non-governmental organizations, academia, and research centers will contribute to managing future migration mobilities more effectively, Göktaş concluded his speech by emphasizing that a dignified return begins not at the border gate, but with a safe home, an open school door, a steady job, and a life without fear.
Hoping that the information shared and the solution proposals developed at the forum will turn into applicable policies and permanent cooperation models, Göktaş wished the closing to be not an end, but the beginning of new steps to be taken for a common future.
