An international conference "Migration in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Modern challenges, experience and innovation” was held in Kazan on 26-27 September 2016, on the initiative of the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan, the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare, the Ombudsman in the Republic of Tatarstan, Autonomous Charitable Non-profit Organization "New Century" and "AIDS Infoshare" Foundation.

The representative of IOM Moscow participated in the conference and presented an overview of the migration situation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), as well as spoke about the IOM's experience in combating human trafficking in the region. In total, the conference was attended by over 300 people from 9 countries.

The participants of the Conference noted that migration is becoming more dynamic and make significate impact on economic development. Equal competitive conditions for the movement and access to the labor market of migrants from the Member States of Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) are provided within the framework of EEU. The previous experience within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and now EEU proves the effectiveness of migration management processes in the framework of regional cooperation.

Speakers noted the importance of a coordinated and comprehensive approach in the issues of international migration, the need for further coordinated action between the states receiving migrants and the countries of departure in order to ensure a safe and orderly migration process, observing human rights and minimizing social risks, and to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth of both sides.

The participants of the Conference supported the proposals of the Russian program of technical assistance to countries in the EECA region against HIV / AIDS and other infectious diseases, implemented in cooperation with Rospotrebnadzor, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV / AIDS and the Foundation "AIDS Infoshare" in the areas of health and provision of sanitary and epidemiological welfare.

The participants expressed their commitment to achieving the goals of the Agenda for sustainable development for the period up to 2030, adopted by the UN Member States in ensuring "safe, regular and orderly" migration, the New York Declaration on the results of the UN General Assembly Summit for Refugees and Migrants on 19 September 2016 and the sustainable development concept in the EECA region. It was emphasized that the new challenges of international migration necessitate a rapid response and identification of priorities of the migration policy, the need for humanitarian approaches, respect for human rights and overcoming xenophobia in the field of migration.