United Nations member nations negotiate for the first time a comprehensive agreement on international migration which will be formally adopted at the Intergovernmental Conference to Adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, in Marrakesh, Morocco, between December 10 and 11

By Anayo Ezugwu

WITH the growing concern over migration, member states of the United Nations have come together to negotiate an agreement covering all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner. The agreement titled “Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration” would address the challenges associated with migration in the world today.

The Global Compact is the culmination of thematic discussions and consultations among member states and other actors such as local officials, civil society representatives and migrants themselves; stocktaking and reflection on the views that were shared; and intergovernmental negotiations. In total, this open, transparent and inclusive process lasting over 18 months led to unprecedented dialogue and learning by all participants on the realities of international migration.

The agreement now forms the basis to improve governance and international understanding of migration, address the challenges associated with migration today, and strengthen the contribution of migrants and migration to sustainable development.

Miroslav Lajčák, president of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, said the Global Compact’s potential was huge. Calling the agreement a ‘historic moment, he said, “It can guide us from a reactive to a proactive mode. It can help us to draw out the benefits of migration, and mitigate the risks.

“It can provide a new platform for cooperation. And it can be a resource, in finding the right balance between the rights of people and the sovereignty of States. And, in December, it will formally become the first comprehensive framework on migration the world has ever seen.”

On her part, Amina J. Mohammed, United Nations deputy secretary-general, said, “Migration raises profound issues: around State sovereignty and human rights; around what constitutes voluntary movement; the relationship between development and mobility; and how to support social cohesion. This compact demonstrates the potential of multilateralism: our ability to come together on issues that demand global collaboration – however complicated and contentious they may be.”

Louise Arbour, special representative of the secretary-general, SRSG, for International Migration, said, “Human mobility will be with us, as it has always been. Its chaotic, dangerous exploitative aspects cannot be allowed to become a new normal. The implementation of the compact will bring safety, order and economic progress to everyone’s benefit.”

Also at meeting were the permanent representatives of Mexico and Switzerland to the United Nations, the co-facilitators who, led the process and drafted the document. Juan José Ignacio Gómez Camacho, Permanent Representative of Mexico, said, “Migration was the only global issue that remained off the agenda at the UN. The Global Compact not only makes a practical difference in the lives of millions of migrants globally, but recognizes that no country can address it alone. The reason why this process was successful is because we negotiated based on evidence and facts, not perceptions and prejudices.”

Jürg Lauber, permanent representative of Switzerland, said, “This text puts migration firmly on the global agenda. It will be a point of reference for years to come and induce real change on the ground. I view the successful conclusion of our negotiation as a strong commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation.”

The agreement will be formally adopted by member states at the Intergovernmental Conference to Adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, which will be held in Marrakesh, Morocco, on December 10 and 11, with Arbour serving as the secretary-general of the conference.

– Aug. 10, 2018 @ 15:55 GMT |