Lack of peace, development causes irregular migration: Aung San Suu Kyi

Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi said on Wednesday that lack of peace and lack of development are two main causes of the unprecedented scale of irregular migration in recent years.

While addressing at a UN General Assembly (GA) high-level debate, Suu Kyi said by building peace and development, durable solutions to the migration issue can be found.

In this regard, she highlighted the importance of enhancing respect for human rights, equality, diversity and tolerance with balanced and multi-dimensional economic policies.

"We must not forget that migrants contribute to the economies of their host countries as well as to the global economy," said Suu Kyi

Hence, she believes that building cooperation and collaboration between the host country and the country of origin in ensuring the rights of migrant workers will be mutually reinforcing for both economies.

On extremism and terrorism, Suu Kyi said lack of social and economic security are main causes to extremism and meanwhile lack of purpose or a sense of direction in life could also be a force that drives young people into extremist ideologies.

By identifying these causes, the international community must be united in standing together against all forms and manifestations of violent extremism, she added.

This year's high-level GA debate from Sept. 20-26 has gathered over 140 world leaders here in New York on a variety of issues, ranging from sustainable development, counter terrorism, and refugee and migrant crises. Enditem