Migration and Sustainable Development Goals: Opportunities, Challenges and the Way Forward

Migration studies have emerged as a vital area for understanding and shaping the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development explicitly connects migration with at least ten SDG targets and indicators, recognizing the transformative role that the movement of people and their associated knowledge, skills, and financial flows play in accelerating progress toward inclusive and sustainable development. Recent research highlights both the opportunities created by migrants - such as the contribution of remittances, knowledge transfer, and the strengthening of global connections - and the complexity involved in measuring and integrating migration within the SDG framework. Nonetheless, significant debates continue regarding the ways in which migration affects development outcomes for both countries of origin and destination, especially within political, social, and economic contexts. Ongoing discussions revolve around the most effective policies and interventions needed to harness the positive impact of migration while minimizing associated challenges, including data collection and policy alignment.This Research Topic aims to critically assess and advance knowledge on the intersection between migration and the SDGs, focusing on both the systemic opportunities and inherent challenges. The objective is to highlight empirical research, synthesize theoretical perspectives, and propose actionable policy recommendations that can better inform decision-makers at local, national, and international levels. In particular, it seeks to address questions such as: How can migration facilitate or impede the achievement of the SDGs? What are the best practices for integrating migrants into sustainable development agendas? And what innovative strategies can be implemented to ensure that the SDGs’ commitment to inclusivity - “leave no one behind” - truly encompasses migrant populations?This Research Topic is confined to the examination of migration’s multifaceted relationship with the SDGs, considering intersections with diaspora communities, and both home and host country dynamics. It explores these links from theoretical, empirical, and policy-oriented perspectives.To gather further insights in this area, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• measurement and statistical challenges in tracking migration-related SDG indicators• remittances, knowledge transfer, and their impact on sustainable development• social, political, and economic integration of migrants in host countries• the role of diaspora in development strategies and SDG attainment• policy innovations, governance, and international cooperation relating to migration and the SDGs• case studies exploring the impact of migration on specific SDGs at regional or national levels• transnational mobility and its implications for inclusive development. Topic editors: Ruchi Singh, Irudaya Rajan Sebastian Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78699/migration-and-sustainable-development-goals-opportunities-challenges-and-the-way-forward