A/HRC/32/40 7. Migrant workers account for 150.3 million of the world’s approximately 232 million international migrants, and it is expected that the number of workers crossing borders in search of security and employment will continue to increase. 1 The Special Rapporteur believes in the power of trade to catalyse economic growth and advance social welfare, but notes that trade has not always led to inclusive, equitable and sustainable development outcomes for all. World Bank estimates indicate that even a 3 per cent increase in migrant labour from developing to high-income countries during the period 2005-2025 would yield gains to the global economy of $356 billion.2 8. The Special Rapporteur understands that trade in itself is not the culprit of migration challenges, nor can it remedy all related ills, but he maintains that fostering a culture of transparency, accountability and ethical business practice while respecting the human rights of migrants can reap positive development outcomes. Over the past two decades, most Governments have concluded preferential trade agreements that incorporate human rights provisions. While this has been a positive development, it has also resulted in increased fragmentation in the interpretation of international human rights standards, as well as a prejudicial application of labour mobility arrangements and immigration laws, effectively infringing upon the human rights of migrant workers and their families. The Special Rapporteur’s assessment includes not only the instabilities triggered by the power imbalances, protectionism and national interests that have become embedded in the international trade regime, but also the ways in which trade can serve as a vehicle for advancing human rights, development and better opportunities for all migrant workers. 9. In writing the present report, the Special Rapporteur recognizes the work of the following United Nations bodies, mechanisms and policy documents: the human rights treaty bodies, the universal periodic review, other special procedure mandate holders, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on International Migration and Development, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development, the Global Migration Group and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Special Rapporteur also recognizes the work of IOM and the Global Forum on Migration and Development. 10. The Special Rapporteur consulted a human rights impact assessment and scoping study currently being conducted by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Economic Commission for Africa and Friedrich-EbertStiftung on the Continental Free Trade Area. The Special Rapporteur also consulted experts from the United Nations, academia and civil society organizations. B. Relationship between international trade and migration in the context of globalization 11. International trade is the exchange of goods or services between nations. The foundation of international trade law is established by international treaties and agreements, the domestic laws of a State party to a trade agreement, and case law on the resolution of trade disputes between States. Trade agreements may consist of bilateral and plurilateral arrangements or multilateral arrangements, and recent agreements have included chapters or protocols on investment. 1 2 4 International Labour Organization, Global Estimates on Migrant Workers: Results and Methodology — Special Focus on Migrant Domestic Workers (Geneva, International Labour Office, 2015). World Bank, Global Economic Prospects: Economic Implications of Remittances and Migration (Washington, D.C., 2006).