BACKGROUND GUIDE

LPS G20 MODEL | Global Mobility in the 21st Century

The Model G20 Organising Committee

The Model G20 Organizing Committee is pleased to present this comprehensive background guide on "Ease of Mobility" for high school participants. This document provides essential context, key discussion points, and country-specific information to help delegates prepare for productive, informed debates.

Welcome Note from the Executive Board

Dear Delegates,

It is our pleasure to welcome you to the LPS G20 Simulation on Ease of Mobility! In today's interconnected world, the ability to move across borders impacts billions of lives, affects economic prosperity, and shapes global relationships. This summit presents an exciting opportunity to engage with complex issues surrounding passports, visa policies, refugee mobility, tourism, and immigration.

We encourage you to immerse yourselves in research, engage in thoughtful debate, and collaborate to develop practical solutions to mobility challenges facing the international community.

We look forward to witnessing your diplomacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in action.

Warmest regards, The Executive Board

Introduction

Global mobility — the ability of people to move across international borders — is a multifaceted issue at the intersection of economics, security, human rights, and international relations. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the ease with which individuals can travel has profound implications for global development, cultural exchange, and economic opportunity.

The G20, composed of the world's largest economies, plays a crucial role in shaping international mobility policies through collaborative approaches to border management, visa regulations, refugee protection, and tourism development. Recent developments such as the COVID-19 pandemic, technological advancements in travel documentation, and changing geopolitical dynamics have fundamentally altered the mobility landscape, necessitating new approaches and international cooperation.

This background guide aims to provide delegates with a comprehensive understanding of global mobility issues, equipping you with the knowledge necessary to represent your assigned countries effectively during the upcoming summit. The discussions will focus on developing inclusive, secure, and efficient mobility frameworks that balance national security concerns with the benefits of international movement.

The Focus Areas of This Discussion

This Model G20 Summit on Ease of Mobility will address several interconnected themes:

Passport Power and Global Access

Examining the disparities in travel freedom across different nationalities, as highlighted by recent passport rankings that show significant variations in visa-free access around the world.

Refugee Mobility and Travel Documentation

Addressing the challenges faced by refugees in obtaining and using travel documents, and exploring potential solutions to enhance their mobility rights.

Digital Transformation of Travel

Considering the impact of technological innovations such as electronic travel authorizations, digital passports, and biometric identification systems on cross-border movement.

Tourism and Economic Development

Analyzing how visa policies affect tourism flows and economic growth, with particular attention to post-pandemic recovery strategies.

Migration and Immigration Frameworks

Evaluating existing immigration systems and exploring potential reforms to address labor market needs, humanitarian concerns, and security requirements.

Border Security and Management

Balancing efficient movement of travelers with necessary security measures to prevent trafficking, terrorism, and unauthorized migration.

Key Discussion Areas: Ease of Mobility

1. Passport Inequality and Global Mobility Disparities

Key Questions:How can G20 nations address passport inequality to ensure fair access to global opportunities? What role do visa reciprocity agreements play in reducing mobility disparities?

G20 Perspective:The G20 emphasizes inclusivity and equitable access to global opportunities, advocating for policies that reduce disparities in mobility rights. Collaborative visa agreements and digitalization of travel documentation are seen as key solutions.

Case Study:Henley Passport Index: Singapore’s passport ranks as the most powerful globally, offering visa-free access to 160 countries. In contrast, passports from developing nations often face significant restrictions. This disparity highlights the need for multilateral efforts to promote equitable mobility frameworks.

2. Refugee Mobility and Protection

Key Questions:How can G20 nations enhance the accessibility and recognition of refugee travel documents? What security concerns must be addressed while improving refugee mobility?

G20 Perspective:The G20 has prioritized humanitarian concerns, advocating for better infrastructure for refugee travel documentation and complementary pathways for asylum seekers, such as work and study opportunities.

Case Study:UNHCR Convention Travel Documents: The UNHCR issues Convention Travel Documents for refugees, but these face implementation challenges due to inconsistent recognition across borders. The G20’s role in standardizing these documents is critical for improving refugee mobility.

3. Digital Transformation of Travel Documentation

Key Questions:How can digital passports and biometric systems improve security while facilitating smoother border crossings? What privacy frameworks should govern the use of biometric data in travel systems?

G20 Perspective:The G20 supports digitalization as a tool for enhancing mobility efficiency while addressing privacy concerns. Leaders have committed to promoting cross-border data flows with trust and advancing human-centric digital transformation.

Case Study:European Entry/Exit System (EES): The EU’s EES integrates biometric verification with electronic travel authorization to streamline border management. This system serves as a model for other G20 nations seeking to balance security with efficient mobility.

4. Tourism Recovery and Sustainable Development

Key Questions:How can visa facilitation support post-pandemic tourism recovery without compromising security? What role should eVisas play in promoting sustainable tourism?

G20 Perspective:Tourism is a significant economic driver for many G20 countries. The group advocates for visa facilitation policies that promote tourism while addressing sustainability concerns, including over tourism and environmental impact.

Case Study:Indonesia’s Tourism Policies: As the host of a recent G20 summit, Indonesia implemented streamlined visa-on-arrival programs to boost tourism post-COVID-19. This approach demonstrates how targeted policies can support economic recovery.

5. Migration Management and Labor Mobility

Key Questions:What frameworks can facilitate skilled labor mobility while protecting domestic workforces?How can seasonal worker programs benefit both origin and destination countries?How can brain drain concerns be addressed globally?

G20 Perspective:The G20 promotes adaptive labor policies that address skills shortages while ensuring ethical recruitment standards and orderly migration channels.

Case Study:India’s Diaspora Engagement Programs: India facilitates labor mobility through Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) programs, balancing diaspora engagement with domestic workforce needs. These initiatives highlight how targeted policies can enhance labor mobility.

6. Mobility Security and Border Management

Key Questions:How can advanced passenger information systems enhance border security without creating barriers?What technologies should govern efficient border processes while identifying threats?

G20 Perspective:Efficient border management is central to the G20’s agenda, focusing on balancing security with legitimate travel facilitation through technology-driven solutions.

Case Study:US ESTA Program: The United States’ Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) pre-screens visa-waiver travelers, ensuring security while maintaining high volumes of legitimate movement. This system exemplifies effective border management practices.

Country Specific Positions/Stances

Singapore

• Maintains the world's most powerful passport with a score of 91.27/100, providing visa-free access to 160 countries.

• Implements highly efficient electronic immigration systems and biometric verification at borders.

• Enforces strict immigration controls balanced with openness to skilled foreign workers and investors.

• Developed a Vaccinated Travel Lane system during COVID-19 that has influenced global safe travel frameworks.

• Prioritizes security screening and counter-terrorism measures in its mobility management.

• Maintains selective refugee policies with limited acceptance of asylum seekers.

• Participates in ASEAN travel agreements that facilitate regional mobility.

European Union / Spain

• Recently displaced from top passport ranking position but maintains strong second place (90.60/100).

• Benefits from Schengen Area membership, allowing passport-free travel across 27 European countries.

• Implementing the Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS visa waiver system to enhance border management.

• Balances Mediterranean migration pressures with a tourism-dependent economy.

• Maintains strong diplomatic ties that facilitate mutual visa-free arrangements globally.

• Provides Convention Travel Documents to refugees but faces challenges in standardization across EU states.

• Offers unique citizenship pathways that affect global mobility rankings.

United States

• Maintains strong but not top-tier passport ranking, with significant visa-free access.

• Implements extensive pre-screening through ESTA program for visa-waiver travelers.

• Operates the world's largest refugee resettlement program but with fluctuating admission levels.

• Enforces rigorous border security measures while managing high volumes of legitimate travelers.

• Faces ongoing debates about immigration reform and pathways to legal status.

• Maintains significant influence on global mobility through visa reciprocity policies.

• Leads in technological innovation for traveler screening and identity verification.

India

• Has hosted innovative Model G20 initiatives focused on youth engagement.

• Working to strengthen passport power through enhanced diplomatic relations.

• Maintains complex visa relationships with neighboring countries due to regional tensions.

• Emphasizes diaspora engagement through special overseas citizen programs.

• Balances security concerns with growing tourism industry needs.

• Implements sophisticated biometric identification systems domestically that could inform international standards.

• Provides significant humanitarian assistance to refugees while maintaining sovereignty-focused policies.

Germany

• Maintains top-10 ranking in global passport power indices.

• Plays key role in setting EU mobility policy direction.

• Balanced significant refugee acceptance with thorough integration programs.

• Addresses demographic challenges through strategic immigration frameworks.

• Pioneers digital solutions for efficient border management.

• Emphasizes protection of free movement within the Schengen area.

• Advocates for standardized refugee travel documents across the EU.

Japan

• Holds 15th place in global passport rankings while previously having topped some indices.

• Maintains strict immigration policies despite aging population challenges.

• Implements sophisticated technological solutions for border management.

• Has gradually expanded foreign worker programs to address labor shortages.

• Enforces rigorous security screening for incoming travelers.

• Provides limited refugee acceptance with comprehensive support for those admitted.

• Balances tourism promotion with careful border control measures.

Saudi Arabia

• Has transformed visa policies to promote tourism as part of Vision 2030 economic diversification.

• Implements advanced biometric systems for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

• Maintains strategic visa relationships with key economic partners.

• Focuses on security-first approach to border management.

• Implements labor mobility reforms affecting millions of foreign workers.

• Develops regional cooperation on mobility issues within the Gulf Cooperation Council.

• Maintains distinct position on refugee documentation and asylum policies.

Additional Resources

Books

• Passport: The History of Man's Most Travelled Document by Martin Lloyd

• The Mobility of Labor and Capital by Saskia Sassen

• Border and Rule: Global Migration, Capitalism, and the Rise of Racist Nationalism by Harsha Walia

• The Cosmopolites: The Coming of the Global Citizen by Atossa Araxia Abrahamian

Reports and Studies

• The Mobility Key: Realizing the Potential of Refugee Travel Documents by Samuel Davidoff-Gore, Migration Policy Institute

• Beyond Territorial Asylum: Making Protection Work in a Bordered World – MPI and Robert Bosch Stiftung

• Passport Power and Economic Mobility by the World Bank

• Tourism Visa Openness Report by UNWTO

Academic Journals

• International Migration Review

• Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies

• Mobilities

• Tourism Management

Online Resources

• VisaGuide Passport Index

• Henley Passport Index

• UNHCR Global Trends Reports

• IOM World Migration Report

• UNWTO

Valid Resources for Research

Delegates are encouraged to consult the following resources for their preparations:

Passport and Visa Indices:

• https://visaguide.world/passport/index/

• https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index/ranking

International Organizations:

• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): https://www.unhcr.org/

• International Organization for Migration (IOM): https://www.iom.int/

• UNWTO: http://www.unwto.org/

Research Institutions:

• Migration Policy Institute (MPI)

• Brookings Institution: https://www.brookings.edu/

• Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): https://www.csis.org/

Government Resources:

• G20 country foreign ministry websites

• Immigration department publications

• National tourism board reports

Conclusion

The ease of mobility across international borders represents one of the most complex and consequential issues facing the G20 nations today.

Throughout this summit, delegates will confront the tensions between sovereign border control, economic opportunity, humanitarian obligations, and security concerns.

As you prepare for the Model G20, we encourage you to consider how the policies you propose might address mobility inequities while respecting legitimate security concerns. Remember that effective solutions will likely require multilateral cooperation, technological innovation, and careful attention to both human rights and national interests.

The future of global mobility will be shaped by the leaders of tomorrow—that's you.We look forward to your thoughtful contributions to this critical global conversation.