On 18 December 1990, the General Assembly had adopted a resolution on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (resolution 45/158).
This day is observed in many countries, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations through the dissemination of information on human rights and fundamental political freedoms of migrants, and through sharing of experiences and the design of actions to ensure the protection of migrants.
Since the year 2000, the international community has used 18 December, International Migrants Day, to highlight the human rights of migrants. Making migrants' voices heard is the common thread throughout International Migrants Day events.