A new ground-breaking international forum on migration kicked off in New York this month aimed at fostering coordinated global action on migration.

The International Migration Review Forum is the first opportunity for UN member states and civil society other stakeholders to discuss the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) since its adoption in 2018.

The UN says the forum is a chance to “consolidate collaborative action and recognise the invaluable contributions migrants make to our societies. It provides an opportunity to identify remaining challenges, and emerging migration issues requiring the attention of the international community”.

The UN Development Programme, a participant, says “the leveraging the power of migration and the more than 280 million migrants worldwide is an urgent imperative which can benefit all – countries of origin, transit and destination – while also creating opportunities for migrants themselves”.

“But to reap these benefits, the United Nations Development Programme said today concrete coordinated action on migration is essential to reduce risks and vulnerabilities faced by migrants, especially as they move between countries in search of safety and opportunity,” UNDP said.

It said migrants could make a contribution to the shaping of stronger, more resilient communities. But a lot of international migration takes place outside regular ‘pathways’.

“Irregular migration poses multiple challenges not only to migrants themselves, but also to countries of origin, transit and destination. It can also increase xenophobia, stigmatization and discrimination,” the agency said.

“Enhancing regular pathways is the best way to prevent the needless deaths of migrants and reduce the negative repercussions of irregular migration. That includes supporting labour migration, academic mobility, as well as family reunification,” it said.

IOM Director General António Vitorino said the forum was an important moment for the international community to reflect upon the achievements to date in the implementation of the Global Compact on Migration (GCM).

“Many States have made progress in their efforts to better support and protect migrants. We look forward to their pledges for concrete action and a Progress Declaration that provides states the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to achieve the GCM’s 23 objectives during this Decade of Action,” Mr Vitorino said.

The GCM is the first inter-governmentally negotiated agreement prepared under the auspices of the United Nations, covering all dimensions of international migration.  The Compact respects states’ sovereign right to determine who enters and stays in their territory, while highlighting the need to protect the human rights of all migrants, regardless of their migration status.