Australia is a key player on migration issues in the Indo-Pacific and should be stepping up into a leadership role, a top UN migration official says.
Director-General of the International Organisation for Migration Amy Pope will address the National Press Club in Canberra on Thursday.
Speaking ahead of her speech, Ms Pope said all around the world countries were "pointing the finger" at migrants to blame their problems on.
"Australia has a role to play in providing leadership more broadly, particularly in this part of the world, on what better migration could look like," she told AAP.
"Particularly in the Pacific Islands, where basically it's ground zero for climate displacement, we see Australia as one of the key partners in coming up with solutions there."
She said the nation could also look at its foreign policy to use migration as a tool for development.
Ms Pope said the tension surrounding migration in many countries did not match the reality of the skills shortages they were experiencing.
"Every country that we're we're hearing a lot of the anti-migration rhetoric needs some level of migration and ironically, in countries like Australia - as a country that has been built on migration - ... sees firsthand how migration can benefit communities," she said.
Asked about Australia's tough measures on migrants and asylum seekers, Ms Pope said it was her organisation's responsibility to work with governments around the world to ensure the rights and dignity of all people were being respected.
"It's extremely important that Australia as a leader in the region, as a leader globally, is respecting international human rights law and international humanitarian law," she said.
Pointing to Australia's "strong courts system," Ms Pope said the nation had checks and balances in place to ensure it was meeting its international obligations.
Australian Associated Press
