Remittances: Resource Guide

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International Guidelines and Principles

General Principles for International Remittance Services (2007, World Bank) - These General Principles are aimed at the public policy objectives of achieving safe and efficient international remittance services. To this end, the markets for these services should be contestable, transparent, accessible and sound.

Guidelines on International Remittances Through Mobile Money (2017, GSMA) - This document illustrates how the mobile money industry and its partners are collaborating to ensure that international transfers conducted through mobile money are facilitated in a safe and secure manner, consistent with global standards and local monetary policy and regulations.

Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration - In the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, adopted in September 2016, the General Assembly decided to develop a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration, to be adopted in December 2018. The global compact is a significant opportunity to improve the governance on migration, to address the challenges associated with today’s migration, and to strengthen the contribution of migrants and migration to sustainable development. 

Organizations and Initiatives

Global Migration Group (GMG) - The GMG is an inter-agency group bringing together heads of agencies to promote the wider application of all relevant international and regional instruments and norms relating to migration, and to encourage the adoption of more coherent, comprehensive and better coordinated approaches to the issue of international migration.

International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR), celebrated each 16 June. Adopted by the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in 2015, and by the United Nations General Assembly, the IDFR is aimed at recognizing the contribution of migrant workers to the wellbeing of their families back home.

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Financing Facility for Remittances (FFR) - A multi-donor fund aimed at exploring innovative ways, in partnership with the public and private sectors, and civil society, to leverage the impact of remittances and investment for development.

International Organization for Migration (IOM) - Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners.

Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI) – The JMDI reflects the commitment of the United Nations, the European Commission and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation to make migration work for development and to establish a comprehensive approach to migration at the local level. JMDI aims to bring the development agenda forward by giving local governments, migrants and local actors a central role in the larger debate of migration and development. The program’s activities are geared towards sensitizing and mobilizing a wide range of actors in order to establish a framework that supports the mainstreaming of migration issues into local development planning.

KNOMAD - The Global Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development (KNOMAD) is a global hub of knowledge and policy expertise on migration and development issues. It is implemented through a multi-donor trust fund, established by the World Bank.

Migration Policy Institute (MPI) - An independent, nonpartisan, non-profit think tank dedicated to analysis of the movement of people worldwide. MPI provides analysis, development, and evaluation of migration and refugee policies at local, national, and international levels.

Private Sector Associations

International Association of Money Transfer Networks (IAMTN) - IAMTN is the only global international trade organization that represents Money Transfer Industry/Payment Institutions providing cross-border payments. Founded in 2005, IAMTN provides a platform for industry partners to come together to discuss common challenges and industry initiatives, and create opportunities. IAMTN works closely with governments, regulators, regional associations and all other stakeholders to champion the creation of the most effective, safe, reliable and efficient payment system.

GSMA - Mobile Money and International Remittances - The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Approximately 800 mobile operators are full GSMA members and a further 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem are associate members. The GSMA represents its members via industry programs, working groups and industry advocacy initiatives. Recognizing the critical importance of economic contribution of migrants for development, the GSMA works to raise awareness and highlight the urgency of enabling mobile money remittances in more countries.

World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI-ESBG) - WSBI-ESBG brings together savings and retail banks from 80 countries, representing the interests of approximately 6,000 banks in all continents. It supports the aims of the G20 in achieving sustainable, inclusive and balanced growth and job creation around the world, whether in industrialized or less developed countries. WSBI works with policy makers and members worldwide to improve the remittance value proposition while enabling wider financial inclusion through remittance-linked products and services. 

International Money Transfer Conferences (IMTC) - IMTC is a forum of the money transfer, remittances and cross-border payments industry, bringing together researchers, consultants, regulators, activists, and service providers intersecting with the industry’s core services.

Developing Markets Associates (DMA) - DMA is a multi-service development consultancy. Incorporated in 2007, the company was established to help money flow into the world’s emerging economies through investment summits for sovereign governments, reducing the costs of international remittances and deepening financial inclusion in emerging economies.

Emerging Payments Association (EPA) - The Emerging Payments Association (EPA) is a commercial membership association of payments industry influencers. It runs more than 50 events each year, and manages projects which help to connect the ecosystem and encourage innovation and profitable business growth. Its community consists of over 100 members coming from across the payments value chain, including payments schemes, banks and issuers, merchant acquirers, PSPs, retailers, and more.

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