International Migration Review Forum 2026 - Round Table 2 (Continued)
Conferences
Date: 5 May 2026
Language: English
Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/ar/asset/k1p/k1pt6enhso?lang=en
Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations.

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Netherlands (Kingdom of the) · Co-Chair [19:44]:

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, Roundtable two of the International Migration Review Forum is hereby continued. We will now continue hear comments and questions from the delegations and I thank you for the cooperation so far. I now give the floor to the distinguished representatives of Algeria, followed by the IFRC and followed by the unodc. So we start with Algeria and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Algeria. Merci, monsieur.


Algeria [20:26]:

Thank you. Chair. Good evening. Good afternoon. The issue of migration is a major concern for my country. Algeria until recently was the country of transit and now increasingly is the country of destination for major reasons a barrier for going north of the Mediterranean as well as due to my country's socioeconomic rise, which means that many migrants end up choosing Algeria as a country of residence they are dealing with. Given the transboundary problem, we have a comprehensive approach that is humanitarian based in our policy. We believe that tackling the root causes of this population displacement allows for improved governance of the migration issue. And that is why we've developed cooperation with the countries involved in this problem as well as with countries that are the countries of origin of these populations who are seeking better lives. Algeria has established an international cooperation agency for solidarity in cooperation with a budget of 1 billion billion to fund projects in countries of origin of migration. We have over 37 projects with a number of African countries. In our efforts we also have developed structural projects. We have also developed road that goes deep into Africa as well as railroads and lines of thousands of kilometers for fiber optic cables to promote regional development to allow these populations to remain in their countries. We are not alone in these efforts. This is a transboundary problem that requires a combination of various efforts to address this issue. And we have bilateral cooperation, therefore with, for example, Tunisia and tripartite cooperation with Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, as well as cooperation quadripartite cooperation with the Italy and the three North African countries. And we have other multilateral cooperation efforts in this global framework. We also have a mechanism which we call a mechanism for exchange of the practices and expertise with a number of different countries, including your country, Mr. Chair, Netherlands, with which we have established an exchange mechanism. Your country as well as India and other donors. And we have also established two training schools for personnel involved in the management of migration. Was cut off for the speaker.


Netherlands (Kingdom of the) · Co-Chair [23:45]:

Yeah. I thank the representative Jerry for his remarkable awards also to my country. Thank you very much. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, followed by the unodc, followed by the Platform for international Cooperation on undocumented micro migrants.


IFRC · International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement [24:13]:

Mr. Chair, on behalf of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, I am honored to take the floor. Since 2014, more than 82,000 migrants have died or gone missing on land routes across deserts and mountains and at the sea from the Mediterranean to the Andaman Sea. As president of the Italian Red Cross these are not decent tragedies. They are the unanswered phone call and the name's families ask to trace these deaths are preventable. They are unacceptable. Since 1 June 2023 the Italian Red Cross has managed the Lampedusa hotspot the main point of arrival for most migrants coming along Mediterranean routes. In three years, the Italian Red Cross has received more than 180,000 migrants people at the center following over 4,000 disembarkations. Not numbers, but people lives stories to be given a voice, hope, care and humanity. With the adoption of GCM, states committed under objective aid to cooperate to save lives and prevent migrant deaths and disappearances. At the first International Migration Review Forum they went further mandating the UN Secretary General to develop actionable recommendations on saving migrants lives. Those recommendations were developed and covered Prevention of migrant deaths and disappearances search and identification of missing support to affected families justice, accountability and redress and data. They are clear, they are implementable. They provide guidance to member States and partners on saving lives and resolving cases of missing migrants along routes and in line with the IMRF Progress Declaration this year it is time to operationalize them. The movement was proud to go develop the recommendations alongside International Organization Migration and United Nations High Commissionership for Refugees national because we respond to this reality every day and we see what happens when action and cooperation fall. We operate humanitarian service points along key routes trusted neutral space where migrants access life saving support irrespective of their status. The IFRC network alone has supported 118 million migrants and people on the move every year across more than 176 countries Red Cross Red Pess movement has always stood alongside governments. We remain fully committed to do it. Thank you.


Netherlands (Kingdom of the) · Co-Chair [27:14]:

I thank the representative of the IFRC and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the UNDC and for followed by the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants and then followed up by the Prenatal State of Bolivia.


UNODC [27:38]:

Thank you Co Chairs. I would like to thank the panelists for their interventions. Many of them have a bearing on trafficking persons and smuggling migrants which fall under the mandates of UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Also refer to Young ODC on Smuggler migrants. I would like to highlight that this issue remains a global priority with ongoing challenges of abuse against migrants along irregular migration routes. There are also new vulnerabilities arising because of the emerging forms of reverse migration. A whole of the route approach is crucial to responses to migrant smart smuggling. The smuggling of migrants protocols embeds the whole of the root approach as a key modality of tackling the migrant smuggling. There is also need to hold criminals accountable accountable for their crimes, including by conducting and improving investigations and the prosecutions of migrant smuggling and relevant offenses along the routes. Intelligence led approaches targeting the higher level actors and financial flows rather than the lower level facilitators and the migrants themselves is critical. There is also need to promote the use of technology to identify suspicious patterns. Criminal justice cooperation must be complemented by development cooperation along migrant smuggling rules, especially initiatives to empower the marginalized communities on trafficking in persons. I would like to highlight the following points. The 2024 UODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons noted a sharp increase of 41% in the detection of trafficking for forced labor. This includes trafficking for forced labor in supply chains where exploitation of migrant labor remains a major risk. However, conviction rates for such crime remain low and there is limited availability of civil and other remedies for victims. New legislative and policy measures are needed to address this gap. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for responses that keep pace with emerging forms of trafficking, notably trafficking for exploitation in cybersecurity operations. This requires more research and data collection to better understand it and to effectively address it. Thank you.


Netherlands (Kingdom of the) · Co-Chair [30:36]:

Thank you representative of the unoc. And now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants, followed by the plenarial state of Bolivia and followed by the Holy See.


PICUM [30:58]:

Thank you, Co Chairs. In the European context, the political pressure to increase returns has unfortunately led to an overall degrading of human rights as well as a normalization of proposals that until recently might have been considered Unthinkable. As we speak, the 27 member states of the EU are in the last weeks of negotiation of the proposed return regulation which would massively increase the length of immigration detention for up to two years, including for children. Yet we have 10 years of nearly 10 years of global child rights standards that immigration detention of children is never in the best interest. It's always a child rights violation. I will not mince my words by saying that we are failing children. If new legislation is adopted allowing immigration detention of children, why would we be failing children? Because we know what works. We, we have decades of research, case studies, promising practices involving national, local government, civil society on what works, on alternatives to detention which are community based and allow for case management. So we very much commend the references in the Progress Declaration to the process by which the UN Migration Network, the UN Secretary General, will monitor progress made by Member States to work to end the practice of determination child detention. And we also commend States commitment in the progress declaration to prioritize non custodial alternatives to detention in line with obligations under international law. Yet we're also concerned with the proposed new EU legislation on return, which would make it possible to deport someone for the first time to a country against their that they've never been to. This would entail human rights risks, regardless of any safeguards that might apply. We're also concerned that the proposed legislation would require states to conduct investigative measures to locate anyone who's presumed to have a regular migration status. What could this mean? Mass surveillance, racial profiling, home raids, obligations for schools, health professionals, local authorities to denounce undocumented migrants. We already see how this plays out in practice. So in February this year, police in Ravenna, Italy raided a hospital, launched an investigation against doctors who refused to authorize immigration detention for undocumented people. In Sweden, the government's developing a new law which would oblige six public agencies, including Employment, Social Insurance and Pensions, to report undocumented migrants to the police if they come in contact with them. This could affect birth registrations and also women who would report gender based violence. We have 20 UN special rapporteurs and special procedures mechanisms who have warned of the risk. And we also have 110 people just last year who face judicial procedures for acting in solidarity. The way forward is social inclusion and regular pathways, access to services and regular pathways. Thank you.


Netherlands (Kingdom of the) · Co-Chair [34:00]:

I thank the representative of the Platform for International Cooperation on the computer undocumented migrants. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Bolivia, followed by the Holy See and followed by Vietnam.


Bolivia (Plurinational State of) [34:21]:

Very good afternoon, Mr. Chair, distinguished delegations, thank you very much. Bolivia stands out in because all migrants have evidence of identity and documentation which is objective for Bolivia has carried out various different activities in consulates and mobile brigades in 43 countries which has made it possible to provide attention for 106,038 people, thus benefiting Bolivians in the issuance of identification documents and other documents in the regional fight against smuggling and trafficking. Objectives 9 and 10 Bolivia is the pro temporary Chair of the Regional Platform for Combating Trafficking and Smuggling in Human Beings and Migrants. This is a forum for coordinating among 10 countries in Latin America, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay and Venezuela, which operates as a space for exchanging good practices able to to engage in cooperation initiatives in order to strengthen the prevention, detection and prosecution of assistance for and protection of victims in trafficking in persons and migrants that have been subject to illicit trafficking. Based on a gender based approach and a human rights based approach during the 2024 year, we identified the patterns for operating according to a plan with technical tools and methodologies. In addition to the 2024 plenary with the Regional Coalition on Trafficking in Persons and the Illicit Smuggling in Migrants, Bolivia with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua and Panama has worked to engage in a common learning exercise. It was within the framework of this forum that we put forward the good practice of our Consular Update Protocol for fellow nationals that have been victims of trafficking and smuggling abroad. As part of these region initiatives, the aim was to strengthen the comprehensive management of borders to provide assistance for safe migration to combat trafficking and person smuggling. Within the forum during Bolivia's presidency, these activities were broadly supported by the Eurofront Program. In addition, under Objective 11, Integrated Border Management. Over these last four years, this has been supported as part of Component 1 of the Eurofront Program and the Andean community can Progress has been made in the exchange of information and data through the Andean Data Bank. Bad In Bolivia, persons are not deprived of their liberty simply because.


Netherlands (Kingdom of the) · Co-Chair [37:28]:

Thank you. I think the representative of Bolivia. Thank you very much. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Holy See, followed by the Vietnam and followed by Georgia.


Holy See [37:44]:

Honorable Co Chairs the Holy See Delegation would like to share some reflections on implementation of the objectives of the Global Compact, Unsafe Elderly and Regular Migration Compact. Since the adoption of the GCM, according to the report of the Secretary General, over 48,000 deaths and disappearances of migrants have been recorded worldwide. This tragic reality compels us to reflect on the commitment made eight years ago to cooperate in saving lives and preventing migrants deaths, including by developing of procedures and agreements on search and rescue operations for migrants. In this regard, preventing loss of life among migrants is not just a collective commitment, but an obligation under international law based on the fundamental right to life of every person. This obligation must never be overlooked in discussions around the GCM and its implementation. Honorable Cocheres the report of the Secretary General also notes that there has been a surge in strengthening border control in the 12 months preceding this forum. In this regard, the While it is the sovereign right over every State to determine its own migration policy, it is important to ensure due process at international borders and to treat all migrants, including in accordance with international law. The dignified treatment of every human being remains an indispensable imperative. With regard to the detention of migrants, there is a need to adopt, where appropriate, non custodial alternatives such as agreements with non governmental reception centers and community based programs. Furthermore, specific placement schemes for minors that uphold their rights to family life and unity should be adopted. It is important to reaffirm that the tension is never in the best interest of the child. To this end, Catherine and other faith based organizations are collaborating at various levels to provide temporary accommodation for migrants in vulnerable situations, including separated and accompanied minors. Progress has been made in improving coordinating response to trafficking in person and migrants migrated smuggling. However, dismantling organized criminal networks remains a primary concern. There is a need for urgent action to prevent, combat and dismantle these increasingly sophisticated networks. As Pope Leo XIV noted, awareness enabled us to identify the hidden mechanism of exploitation in our neighborhoods and in digital space. Ultimately, the the violence of human trafficking can be overcome only through a renewed vision that beholds every individual as beloved child of God. I thank you,


Netherlands (Kingdom of the) · Co-Chair [40:44]:

I thank the representative of the Holy See and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Vietnam, followed by Georgia and followed by Mexico.


Viet Nam [41:00]:

Thank you, Coaches, Excellencies, distinguished Delegates. Protecting migrants and reducing vulnerabilities is at the core of effective migration governance. Migrants, particularly women and children, continue to face risks of exploitation, trafficking, violence, discrimination across migration cycle. Guided by people centered and rights based approach, Vietnam has taken concrete steps to implement this cluster of job objectives, particularly objectives 4, 10 and 21. On objective 4, Vietnam adopted the 2023 Law on Identification which enable persons of Vietnamese origin with undetermined nationality to be issued identity certificates. This is practical measure to guarantee legal identity and reduce deadliness while ensuring access to essential services. On Objective 10, Vietnam has strengthened its legal framework through the 2024 Law on Human Trafficking Prevention and Combat which expands the definition of trafficking in person, including for the purpose of false criminality, and applies the non punishment principle to ensure comprehensive support for victims. We continue to implement practical models including the Peace House which provides safe accommodation, medical care, psychology, counseling, legal assistance and reintegration support. We have also completed developing the database on trafficking victims to strengthen victim assistance investigation efforts and inform evidence based policies on objective 21. We have strengthened cooperation with 18 partners on readmission while promoting reintegrated support mechanism, particularly for vulnerable groups including women migrants. Currently, trafficking and irregular migration are increasingly linked to labor migration, wide digital technologies and enabling fraudulent recruitment, online scam and false criminality. In this context, Vietnam calls for stronger international cooperation to ensure safe, fair and rights based migration. I thank you.


Netherlands (Kingdom of the) · Co-Chair [43:35]:

I thank the representative of Vietnam and I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Georgia, followed by Mexico and then followed by the Interpol.


Georgia [43:46]:

Distinguished colleagues and delegates. It is great honor for me to participate in today's roundtable on behalf of the Ministry of Internal affairs of Georgia. The Government of Georgia attached special importance to a balanced policy and managing safe, orderly and legal migration. At the same time, we are taking active measures to implement effective mechanisms against illegal migration. Georgia ensures a fair and efficient asylum system for all seekers. The legal guarantees of the asylum procedures fully comply with international standards. We actively cooperate with international partners to strengthen effective asylum procedures and social economic assistance for refugees within the framework of the Global Compact of Refugees. Georgia took an obligation regarding the approximation of national asylum legislation with the EU legal framework and has performed his obligation in good faith. The legislative amendments in 2025 have strengthened asylum procedures which have increased the country's capabilities in managing migratory flows. We continue to strengthen the integrated border management system in order to minimize the risk of cross border crime and trafficking. Also, we invest great resources into raising the qualification of law enforcement so that migration management takes place with full protection of human rights. Georgia successfully cooperates with partner states in the direction of readmission. We have signed readmission agreements with many countries. As a result of successful coordination, the readmission program is implemented with 100% success. We actively cooperate with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency and are involved in joint return operations carried out by frontex. The legislative reforms are institutional strengthening carried out by my country, guarantee effective migration management and the protection of human rights. Migration is not a process that an individual state can manage alone. This is the shared responsibility that requires constant dialogue, exchange of information and coordinated actions. Georgia is ready to continue active cooperation with partners by sharing experience and the same time actively engaging in new initiatives aimed at prevention of cross Border crime in the development of legal migration channels. Thank you for your attention.


Netherlands (Kingdom of the) · Co-Chair [46:22]:

I thank the representative of Georgia. And now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mexico, followed by Interpol, followed by unicef.


Mexico [46:37]:

Very good afternoon. Legal identity is the master key for the exercise of other rights in Mexico. With that in mind, Mexico has modernized its consular network by simplifying regulations and digitalizing services. This makes it possible to issue documents for the Mexican population that are residing abroad. Moreover, a protocol has been established for consular proceedings that synthesizes and standardizes the processes for ensuring the technical efficiency of these regulations. Moreover, general guidelines have been published for expediting visas which certifies criteria and provides certainty to foreigners who want to come to Mexico for tourism and investment purposes. Moreover, we have eliminated the requirement for certain certifications of foreign documents to ensure that more people can have access to identity documents. On Objective 13, Mexico has approved a normative reform which harmonizes migration legislation and refugee legislation with the General Law on Children and Adolescents. It establishes that children and young people should not be subject to migration detention facilities. It prioritizes their immediate channeling towards the protection authorities responsible for children that ensure the best interest of the child. Moreover, Mexico recognizes and promotes safe, orderly, dignified and humane return of persons via the Mexico embraces you strategy. Searches for Mexican returnees are carried out comprehensively with all of the services that the Mexican state can provide. This is done in order to facilitate their economic and social reintegration. More than a million cases of services and assistance have been provided to more than 200,000 people who have returned to Mexico in the last year. In each case that, in each action that our country undertakes, we aim to transform the objectives of the Compact into concrete actions and to move towards their full and effective implementation. Thank you very much.


Netherlands (Kingdom of the) · Co-Chair [49:14]:

I thank the representative of Mexico and give the floor to the distinguished representative of Interpol, followed by the UNICEF and followed by the International Detention Coalition.


Interpol [49:31]:

Thank you, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates. The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration represents a milestone in establishing a comprehensive framework for international migration. Transnational organized crime networks continue to exploit vulnerable communities for profit through migrant smuggling and human trafficking. These networks are evolving rapidly, targeting new routes, digital platforms at risk populations, and adapting to changing policies. Objectives 9, 10 and 11 of the global Compact underscore the importance of coordinated international efforts to address missing migrants, combat trafficking and smuggling, and strengthen border management. I would like to highlight how Interpol contributes to these priorities. First, Interpol provides actionable intelligence and investigative support to its 196 member countries through its secure Global communication system and color coded notices. Law enforcement agencies can exchange information in real time and access 19 police databases and analytical files. In particular, the Yellow Notice plays a critical role in locating missing migrants and identifying victims of trafficking, many of whom are unable to identify themselves. The Black notice can help identify bodies of deceased migrants, bringing peace to those who have lost them. Second, Interpol supports countries in strengthening border management. Interpol's Stolen and Lost Travel Document database contains approximately 138 million records, serving as a tool to prevent illicit cross border travel. Additionally, the Interpol Integrated Border Management Task Force supports member states by enhancing border operational capabilities. Third, Interpol coordinates operations to dismantle trafficking and smuggling networks while also strengthening national capacities through specialized training and tailored programs. For example, the two week operation codenamed Libertera 3 in late 25 led to the arrest of 3,744 suspects, including more than 1,800 for human trafficking and migrant smuggling offenses, the safeguarding of over 4400 potential victims of human trafficking and the detection of almost 13,000 irregular migrants across 119 countries. Notably, the operation saw increased use of screening mechanisms with law enforcement prioritizing victim identification and protection over criminalization and penalties. Fourth, on the issue of trafficking linked to online cyber scam operations, Interpol continued to strengthen its role as an intelligence and operational hub, turning knowledge into practice through its latest initiative to address the threat Operation Shadow Storm. Interpol remains committed to advancing the objectives of the global compact through intelligence led police cooperation, ensuring safer migration and protecting vulnerable communities. I thank you,


Netherlands (Kingdom of the) · Co-Chair [52:23]:

Thank you, thank the representative of of Interpol and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of UNICEF followed by the International Detention Coalition and then followed by Ukraine.


UNICEF [52:38]:

Thank you Chair Excellencies, Partners Children's migration experiences have long term impacts on their futures and on the communities where they eventually settle. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that there is a continuity of care and consistent application of child sensitive standards for children on the move in the GCM States committed to uphold the principle of the best interest of the child at all times. I will highlight three areas that are critical for children where we can work together to make progress. Children on irregular journeys face serious risks such as violence, exploitation, trafficking, detention and pushbacks with without access to protection or best interest procedures and without due process. Border crossings and transit locations are among the most dangerous places for children on the move. We recommend placing trained child protection workers at borders to ensure that there is child sensitive identification, screening and referral to protection and support services. Second, immigration detention is never in a child's best interest and is a child rights violation. Evidence clearly shows that it harms children's physical, emotional and mental health as well as their overall well being and development. We have seen advances in some states that demonstrate that with government leadership, case management and partnership across agencies, there are safe and effective alternatives available that support the well being of children and families while supporting adherence to immigration procedures. UNICEF supports all states to end the use of child immigration detention and to invest in child rights based, non custodial, community and family based reception and care arrangements. And lastly, migrant children experience unique challenges before, during and after return. Children are often overlooked in return and reintegration processes and when this happens, reintegration will likely not be sustainable which can lead to children repeatedly risking the dangers of irregular migration. UNICEF calls on States to invest in child sensitive approaches to return and reintegration, including individual best interest processes that identify sustainable solutions and strengthening the cross border cooperation between child protection authorities. Children who return to their country of origin, whether voluntarily or based on a best interest determination, should be supported with access to case management. UNICEF stands ready to support all states in ensuring the protection of children in this process. UNICEF has been proud to contribute to the development of Roundtable 2 with UNODC and I thank you.


Co-Chair [55:31]:

I thank the distinguished delegation of UNICEF and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of International Detention Coalition followed by Ukraine and India.


IDC [55:55]:

It's not working. Muchas gracias.


Co-Chair [55:58]:

Thank you very much.


IDC [55:59]:

Asian has become one of the most politicized topics of our time and we are witnessing the increased criminalization of migrants and migration. Immigration detention, pushbacks and externalization of borders are some of the concerning symptoms of this. Immigration detention has devastating effects and I don't say this word lightly. The human cost of detention is huge and is compounded by intersecting forms of discrimination especially affecting women, children and gender diverse people. We must reiterate this again and again. Child immigration detention is never in the best interest of the child. It is contrary to international law and is a breach of children rights. We can't see situations that justify child detention. Furthermore, family unity should never come at the cost of depriving children of their liberty. Objective 13 of the GCM is clear. States committed to prioritizing rights based non custodial alternatives to detention and in taking steps to end child immigration detention. However, we are seeing concerning developments on this topic in some parts of the world. The expansion of detention, serious backsliding on ending child immigration detention I would like to say inequivocally children are children and they do not belong in detention no matter how good the conditions are. At the same time, we have also seen some states taking positive steps on non detention approaches that prioritize deregularization instead of detention. I'm particularly pleased to come just now from a close roundtable discussion with a dozen or so member States where it was clear that some states are taking active steps on ending the practice of child immigration detention and on advancing alternatives and showing that it is possible to do this. Some have outlawed child detention, establish a screening and referral mechanisms for migrant children, led regional and cross regional peer learning efforts are successfully collaborated with civil societies and with the UN to take steps to end this damaging practice. It is also encouraging to see countries submitting specific pledges at this IMRF on ending child detention and on promoting alternatives. However, there is still a long way to go and that is why we must keep taking active steps towards this goal. The title of our roundtable was Ending Child Immigration Detention. It is possible and I want to invite all of you to join us in working together to show that this is possible. One very concrete step in this direction is paragraph 53 of the Progress Declaration asking the Secretary General to assess progress and challenges and and make actionable recommendations on working to end this practice in the context of migration. The path forward is clear and we must all take action.


Co-Chair [59:00]:

I thank the distinguished delegation. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of India followed by Lesotho and Morocco.


India [59:21]:

Thank you Chair. As we discuss IMRF 2026, India's message on migration governance is clear. We are committed to migration that is pragmatic, protective of rights and anchored in international cooperation. There exist numerous challenges that demand attention and international cooperation. First, exploitation and recruitment persist, particularly affecting low skilled workers and women migrating for domestic work. Despite regulatory frameworks and digital oversight, unscrupulous agents find ways to circumvent systems. Second, trafficking, especially of women and girls, continues to demand vigilance, cross border coordination and victim centered approaches. Third, irregular migration continues, often driven by desperation when regular pathways are inaccessible or unaffordable, exposing migrants to grave risk and exploitation. These challenges affect migration systems globally, but they demand honest acknowledgment and coordinated responses through international cooperation. India has been working to enhance certainty and predictability in migration processes by implementing measures like digitizing application processes and providing clear information about migration requirements. We have a robust system of providing passport services through its network of passport offices. The E Migrate Portal has been integrated within the Passport portal for online validation of the immigrants. The Government of India actively promotes safe, legal and well informed migration. Go Safe Go Trained initiative continues to raise awareness among prospective migrants. This motto has been publicized through awareness generation workshops as well as pre departure orientation and training programs imparted to prospective migrants. Advisories are issued through emigrate portals, social media handles and other modes of publicity about the perils of fake job rackets as well as how to prevent them. The list of unregistered agents against whom grievances have been received is published and they are blacklisted on the E Migrate portal of Government of India. And that's how we try to prevent irregular recruitment. India has engaged in bilateral discussions with several countries and finalized modalities for return and readmission of its citizens under irregular situations. Bilateral mechanisms have been created for coordination with partner countries. India recognizes that human trafficking is a grave crime. The Government of India is making continuous efforts to prevent and counter trafficking in persons. India is committed to extend cooperation to all parties and countries in preventing and countering human trafficking. I thank you.


Co-Chair [1:02:12]:

I thank the distinguished delegation of India and the House apologizes. Now it is the turn of the distinguished delegation of Ukraine.


Ukraine [1:02:27]:

Thank you Chair and distinguished colleagues. For Ukraine, the question of return is very relevant. It is shaped directly by war. Millions of our citizens have left because of security risk. At the same time, millions remain internally displaced. Movement is not linear. People return, leave again or delay decision, depending on how the situation evolves. This is why we approach return not as an event, but as a system. First, return must be voluntary, informed and realistic. Decisions are based not only on safety, but on whether people can rebuild their lives, whether there is housing, access to service, schools for children, health care and employment opportunities. Second, reintegration capacity is a critical constraint. If community cannot absorb returnees, return becomes fragile. In Ukraine, we see clear that housing, local services and labor market access are decision factors. This is why our response focused on system building and preparedness. We are expanding community based social services, including resilience centers that provide psychosocial support and practical assistance close to where people live. We are strengthening support for internally displaced persons through housing solutions such as rental subsidies and preferential mortgage schemes and integration into host communities. Importantly, our IDPs policy is designed not only for internal integration, but also for future return, including for those who will come back from abroad. At the same time, we are building structured engagement with Ukrainians abroad through digital services and outreach formats such as unity hubs. We provide access to information, documentation and future integration pathway. The first hub in Berlin has already demonstrated strong demand particularly for pension and social protection consultations. A key lesson from our experience under war is that reintegration policy must be prepared before large scale return begins. Waiting until people come back is too late. Main focus should be on investment in local infrastructure, not just buildings and roads, but also services. Finally, cooperation with host countries is essential. Return planning requires coordination on information status, access to services and realistic timelines. Our conclusion is simple. Sustainable return depends less on declaration and more on the capacity of systems, housing, services, jobs and communities to receive people. This is where we should focus our joint effort. Thank you.


Co-Chair [1:05:27]:

I thank the distinguished delegation of Ukraine. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Lesotho, followed by Morocco and Lithuania.


Lesotho [1:05:41]:

Chair Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, the Kingdom of Lesotho is honored to participate in this important roundtable. We welcome the background note and reaffirm our commitment to the global compact of safe, orderly and regular migration. Our National Implementation report submitted to this forum reflects the progress made thus far and the challenges that remain. Objective 4 Lesotho affirms that legal identities foundational to protection, access to services and safe mobility. Our national report highlights expansion of mobile

civil registration services to reach remote areas.

Currently 90% of the population is registered International Identity Service Consular documentation system for Basuto living abroad has been improved through use of digital platform. Progress in developing a modern and resilient identity system to withstand climate related disasters. We acknowledge remaining challenges, especially for children born abroad and call for Deepak cross border cooperation on birth registration. Objective 8 Lesotho supports the Secretary General's actionable recommendation of missing migrants. Our consulate addressed the issue of missing migrants in collaboration with the Supranational Central Bureau Interpol. We, however, acknowledge the need for more coordinated structural arrangement in this regard. Objective 9 and 10 to strengthen our response to smuggling and trafficking of people, Lesotho has enacted the Anti Trafficking in Persons Act 2011 and developed an Anti Trafficking strategy and action plan there too. Further, we have established anti Trafficking unit within the police service. Objective level Lesotho piloted Lesotho Border management services process for introduction of migration integration data analysis system underway with the support of World bank biometric technologies through procurement of Mither in The fiscal year 2026 arrangement between Lesotho and South Africa on 90 days per visit visa strives towards the development of migration model between Lesotho and RSA that is at an advanced stage. We caution that technological advances must be accompanied by robust safeguards including protection against algorithmic bias and misuse of personal data. Objective 13 the Soto does not practice immigration detention for children and is working towards community based case management for adults. We support global momentum to end child immigration detention and promote rights based alternatives. Objective Level SO two.


Co-Chair [1:08:49]:

I thank the distinguished delegation of Lesotho. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Morocco, followed by Lithuania and then the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.


Morocco [1:09:05]:

Thank you Chair. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Kingdom of Morocco, the host country of the gcm. The Marrakech Compact Addressing the migration challenges goes hand in hand with strengthening regular pathways with the aim of preserving human dignity, saving lives and sustainable reintegration in the countries of origin or destination. The goal should be to transform the trajectories of millions of individuals into concerted and safe pathways. Instead of crisis management or short term approaches. Morocco reaffirms that migration management is not a burden but a vector for co development and investment in global stability and prosperity. This is the overarching objective of the African Migration agenda presented in 2018 by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, African Union Champion on migration issues to address the root causes of irregular migration. Morocco believes in the virtue of concerted approach, shared responsibilities between countries of origin, transit and destination and the recognition of migrants contribution to their communities of origin or destination. Morocco promotes legal and secure pathways for migrants while developing robust strategies and measures to combat human and migrant traffickers. The balanced strategies involved the following objectives. Better knowledge of the migration dynamics Accurate data is essential in this regard. Morocco continues to support the African Observatory of Migration in Rabat more and better bilateral mobility partnerships. Many agreements have been concluded Better environment for migrants integration through access to decent work and entrepreneurship Responsible border management combining security and human rights and humanitarian dimensions. The fight against criminal networks the Saving lives begins with the fight against human and migrant traffickers. Regarding the saving lives itself, the Royal Gendarmerie and the Moroccan Royal Navy continue their coordinated operations as proactive rescue. This effort allowed between 2024-2026 the rescue of tens thousands of migrants on the high seas and the provision of necessary care with humanitarian service points. Finally, Morocco commits to continue advocating for increased momentum toward converging in the implementation of the GCM and the Convention on the Protection of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Finally, details information on the Morocco's implementation of the 23 GCM objectives are available in this document available for delegations in printed and digital formats. I thank you for.


Co-Chair [1:12:10]:

I thank the distinguished delegation of the Kingdom of Morocco. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, followed by Lithuania and the Centro de Atenciona la Familia Migrante Indigena. Could we please give the microphone to the Office of the United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees. Unhcr.


UNHCR [1:13:20]:

Yeah, yeah, it's this one. Okay.


Co-Chair [1:13:26]:

Are they there?


UNHCR [1:13:35]:

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. UNHCR welcomes the opportunity to address the IMRF on three interlinked challenges of saving lives. Objective 8, Trafficking in Person, Objective 10 and Alternatives to Detention, Objective 13. These three objectives feature in both the GCM and the Global Compact on Refugees, reflecting the realities faced by refugees and migrants along mixed movement routes. Addressing these issues requires leveraging the complementarity of the GCM and the GCR to advance mutually reinforcing actions to benefit refugees and migrants in line with their human rights, while recognizing their distinct statuses and the specific international protection needs of refugees. The objectives of Saving Lives at Sea call for predictable search and rescue and ensuring protection centered approaches during and following disembarkation. In May 2025, the Government of Mauritania adopted new standard operating procedures on search and rescue and the treatment of migrants during disembarkation. These SOPs recognize the distinct yet complementary role of UNHCR and IOM and allow both organizations to access people disembark to provide assistance and to ensure correct identification and referral of people in need of international protections. More such examples are needed. Addressing trafficking in person requires similar such efforts as well as safeguards against penalization of people who are trafficked. UNHCR fully supports efforts to end immigration detention for children. We salute Colombia's leadership in this area and Mexico's enactment of legislation to prohibit the detention of children based on their legal or migratory status. UNHCR stresses that the 1951 Convention relating to Refugees provides for non penalization of refugees for the irregular entry and UNHCR calls for alternatives to detention. We believe that addressing these issues requires roots based and comprehensive responses that address root causes and provide alternative to dangerous journeys. Thank you very much, Musisimas. Gracias.


Co-Chair [1:16:33]:

I thank the distinguished delegation of unhcr. I now give the floor to Lithuania followed by Centro de Atenciona la Familia Migrante in Tigena. And we will finish with the delegation of Thailand.


Lithuania [1:16:50]:

Thank you, Chair. Lithuania Hale evolutes the discussion of the roundtable. We support its focus on protecting migrants and addressing serious crimes linked to irregular migration. Migration rules are becoming more complex and more dangerous. Smuggling and trafficking networks adapt quickly. They exploit instability, weak coordination and vulnerable people. Our experience shows that migration management, border security and the protection of fundamental rights must go in hand. Lithuania has strengthened its integrated border management system. We fully respect international law and ensure access to protection. We have improved coordination, risk analysis and information sharing. This Helps us respond better to changing migration patterns. At the same time, we regularly review and improve our procedures. We learn from our own experience, from court decision and from good practices in other countries. As well as as advice of humanitarian organizations. We also place strong emphasis on cross border law enforcement cooperation. Following the irregular migrant crisis caused by the Belarusian regime in 2021, Lithuania established coordination mechanism this help manage migration risk and disrupt criminal networks. Since then, we have moved from amid crisis response to a more structured and sustainable system. It covers border governance, protection and cooperation. Together with regional partners and European Union agencies, we have developed joint investigation mechanism. This allows faster information exchange and more targeted action against migrant smuggling network. Lithuania remains firmly committed to fighting human trafficking and protection victim of exploitation. We have strengthening the legal framework. We have expanded inspection in high risk sector. We have also invested in specialized training for border guards, law enforcement officers and respection staff. Ladies and gentlemen, support for victims is equally important. In close cooperation with civil society organization, we provide assistance, protection and retigration support. This helps victims recover and rebuild their life. Finally, we must address a particularly alarming threat. Migration is behind instrumentalized by state and non state actors. Such protection practices increase vulnerability, support criminal activity and undermine international trust and cooperation. Thank you.


Co-Chair [1:19:56]:

I thank the distinguished delegation of Lithuania. Now I give the floor to the delegation of Centro de Atenciona La Familia Migrante in Tigena. And we will finish with Thailand.


Centro de Atención a la Familia Migrante Indígena [1:20:10]:

Hola.


Centro de Atención a la Familia Migrante Indígena · Latin American bloc on migration [1:20:13]:

Good afternoon. I would like to thank you for this opportunity. I am here on behalf of the organizations that make up the Latin American bloc on migration and also on various groups within this space from this region. We are members of Working Group 2, in particular on Return and Reintegration. For four years we have been positioning on this subject within the United Nations Migration Network. This space is key for us to be able to continue talking about people who have returned, forced to return or deported. From a human perspective, returnees and deportees are not a homogenous group. They are women or girls, young people and teenagers. And that is why the distinctions need to be focused on categories that cover their experience of the impact. The ways in which they were expelled, the ways in which families and communities are affected and changed. We have to recognize that in many cases, and the majority of cases, return is not voluntary, the returnees are not criminals, and there needs to be real integration. Also, there must be a recognition of the diverse forms of violence that have led to people being forced into return or expulsion, xenophobia, racism, etc. Gender based violence and sexual violence among others. There need to be public policies on integration and reintegration based on a rights access based approach and that transcends borders because families are separated in these deportation processes. Accessibility, all sorts of rights need to be expanded and to go over again the administrative criteria. And this goes hand in hand with objective four, that is to say, not falling into the trap of bureaucracy or something that limits the population and prevents them having access to identity document. On the contrary, there needs to be flexibility that will allow for the access of people's full rights. We must bolster international cooperation for access to these national and transnational mechanisms following forced deportation and return. Inter institutional coordination in host countries for integration and reintegration needs to happen as well. And today we held a side event with governments from the region that have positioned themselves to work in a coordinated way and to make efforts and to once again highlight and center these people, their rights and their communities. There is also the need to promote campaigns that stop the stigmatization and false narratives of these people. They are not criminals, the vast majority of them. And in this same context there is an urgent need to address the psycho emotional aspects of this these populations, these families are entirely divided and separated and emotional care must also be a priority for the care that is provided by States. Thank you very much.


Co-Chair [1:23:15]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Centro de Atencionala Familia Immigrante Indigena and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Thailand. And with that we will conclude.


Thailand [1:23:34]:

Thank you, Chair. Thailand attaches importance to preventing and addressing vulnerabilities in the context of migration, especially through our efforts to eradicate trafficking in persons and adopting atd. We now wish to share some of the progress that we have made. First on legal identity and documentation. Objective 4 Thailand allows for birth registration of all migrant children born in Thailand, in line with the pledge that we made at the first IMRF and also an entitlement under Thai law. More recently, we have made improvements to the registration system to avoid data redundancy for better targeted interventions and overall migration management. Second, Thailand has made the issue of online scams a national agenda and strengthened anti human trafficking legislation and measures. This is particularly given the increasing trend of migrants being trafficked into scam centers in Southeast Asia. Since 2022, we have implemented the National Referral mechanism which is to enhance the efficiency of victim identification, to avoid criminalization and to provide them with the necessary protection and assistance. We have also enhanced international cooperation to eradicate trafficking in persons in the context of online scams, including by co hosting the International Conference on the Global Partnership against online scams with the UNODC last December 3 on ATD, which is objective 13 and challenges from foreign aid cuts. We have continuously implemented an Inter Ministerial MoU on ATD which is a whole of government and whole of society approach, while taking into account of course, the best interest of the child. Since 2019, approximately 2,000 children and mothers have benefited from this policy. And going forward, Thailand is exploring ways to revitalize community based care for the effective implementation of atd. And lastly, Thailand reaffirms our commitment to strengthening our efforts going forward in order to implement these objectives under the GCM for the benefit of all migrants. I thank you.


Co-Chair [1:26:10]:

I thank the distinguished delegation of Thailand. We have heard the last speaker in the interactive debate. I would like to thank the keynote speaker, the panelists and all of the participants for their active participation. Before concluding the session, I remind the participants that Roundtable three will be held immediately following the conclusion of this roundtable in this same room. Those who were not able to participate in this session are invited to participate in the next one and also tomorrow. Roundtable 2 of the IMRF is hereby concluded.


Speaker 47 [1:27:04]:

Sharing. Thank you. Thank you.

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Philippines · Co-Chair [1:33:17]:

Okay. So we are settled. A few more seconds to settle down. Okay. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to welcome you to Roundtable 3 of the International Migration Review Forum. As mentioned in the background Note circulated on April 27, 2026, this roundtable will offer space for discussion of progress made in the implementation of objectives 14, 15, 16, 19, 20 and 22 of the global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. Allow me at this time to deliver some opening remarks. It is with profound honor to welcome you to today's Roundtable Number three, which touches on important objectives in protecting migrants basic needs while harnessing the potential of their contributions. As a nation with a long standing history of labor migration, the Philippines views the themes of today's discussion not merely as policy objectives, but as moral imperatives and a culture of governance. The Philippines has a presence in 68 countries through foreign Service posts with the Department of Foreign affairs and with 42 migrant workers offices and 25 migrant workers resource centers in migrant countries. That bring government services to overseas Filipinos. These extensions of the Philippine government provide Filipinos overseas with consular assistance and protection as well as promote access to basic services. Our Migrant Workers Offices and Migrant Workers Resource Centers whose clients specifically cover overseas Filipino workers, provide welfare services and assistance to nationals and the thrust of digitalization of administration has also facilitated improvements in the access and delivery of services that promote the ease of doing business. Business the Philippines promotes basic access to services both at the country of origin, transit and destination with initiatives, for instance, such as an OFW or a migrant workers hospital located in the northern part of our country. Contributions of migrants are not limited to remittances, but also social remittances that enhance the communities that they integrate with through their values and principles as well as new ideas brought to the country of origin. Social protection continues to be an integral part in the negotiations of the Philippines with its counterparts in ensuring the protection and promotion and rights and welfare of Filipino migrant workers. And similar to our experience, Member States have indeed supported meaningful advances and taken concrete steps across these objectives. As noted in the Progress Declaration from the inaugural IMRF in 2022. However, significant gaps persist, particularly for migrants in vulnerable situations, including women, children, low wage workers, migrants in irregular conditions and those affected by climate conflict and economic shocks. Through this roundtable, we look forward to hearing from the floor of creative and innovative solutions and the progress made in advancing all these objectives, as well as identify challenges that together we can address for migrant workers all around the world. I now give the floor to my fellow co Chair, His Excellency Bernard Mohamed Doro, Minister of Humanitarian affairs and Poverty Reduction of Nigeria, to deliver some opening remarks.


Nigeria · Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction · Bernard Mohamed Doro [1:38:23]:

I thank you, my distinguished Fellow Co Chair, my fellow Co Chair, Excellencies, distinguished Delegates, it is my pleasure for it is a pleasure for Nigeria to co Chair this Roundtable on Diaspora Engagement and its role in advancing sustainable migration outcomes. We are gathered here within the provisions of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, which remains the first comprehensive global agreement to guide international migration. The GCM has provided a shared vision and practical roadmap for managing migration in a way that is safe, dignified and development orientated. In particular, Objective 23 has reinforced the importance of cooperation, collaboration and collective responsibility, reminding us that effective migration governance cannot be achieved in isolation, but through coordinated action across governments, institutions and societies. This roundtable focuses on diaspora engagement, a critical pillar in migration and development. The team speaks directly to two important strengthening preventive protection mechanisms for diaspora populations and building sustainable structures that harness diaspora contributions for long term national development. These issues are highly relevant in today's context, where migration dynamics are increasingly complex and where diaspora communities are both vulnerable to emerging risk and uniquely positioned as agents of development. The gcm, though through its provisions has encouraged member States to strengthen protection systems and harness diaspora contributions more effectively. Across different countries, we are seeing growing efforts to move in this direction. In Nigeria, for example, national frameworks such as the National Diaspora Policy and the recently reviewed National Migration Policy have helped to guide protection, coordination and engagement with citizens abroad. Practical measures such as diaspora registration platforms and structured engagement through diaspora organizations have also strengthened outreach and support systems. At the same time, countries are increasingly putting in place initiatives to leverage diaspora contributions for development. In Nigeria, platforms such as the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit and Diaspora Focused Financial Instruments are being used to promote investment and skills transfer. These efforts reflect a broader shift towards recognizing diaspora communities not only as beneficiaries of protection systems, but as active partners in development. Such experiences, alongside those from other countries provide valuable entry points for this discussion as we explore how to strengthen systems, improve coordination and scale impact. Distinguished colleagues, this roundtable provides an opportunity to reflect on how we can collectively strengthen preventive protection mechanisms while unlocking the full development potential of diaspora communities. It calls for stronger partnerships, improved coordination, and innovative approaches that bridge policy commitments with practical implementation. As we begin our discussions, I encourage all participants to share concrete experiences, identify scalable solutions, and contribute to shaping a more proactive, inclusive and development oriented approach to migration governance. I thank you and look forward to a rich and engaging dialogue.


Philippines · Co-Chair [1:43:06]:

I thank you, Minister Doro. I now give the floor to Ms. Ana Maria Archilla, Commissioner of International affairs of the New York City Mayor's Office, for a keynote statement.


New York City Mayor's Office of International Affairs · Commissioner of International Affairs · Ana Maria Archilla [1:43:27]:

Good afternoon excellencies and colleagues. My name is Ana Maria Chila. I serve as the Commissioner of the New York City Mayor's Office of International affairs and on behalf of the city that elected Mayor Zoran Mamdani, it is my honor to address you and to welcome you. Thank you so much for allowing me to speak today. It's an honor to join you in this conversation at the International Migration Review Forum. I want to thank the International Organization for Migration and the Office of the President of the General assembly for convening this dialogue and the co chairs for your leadership. As we all know, migration is not something that happens in a vacuum. It is shaped by the structures of our world, by inequality, by climate change, by conflict. And it is shaped also by people's dreams and people's aspirations, their search for safety and opportunity. And while migration is a reality that is global, it is really the responsibility of cities and of towns and of communities to make sure that inclusion is realized. Cities are where people arrive. Cities are where people access services. Cities are where people rebuild their lives. And New York City is a lucky city. It's a city shaped every day by the dreams and the struggles and the imagination of millions of immigrants. Nearly 40% of our residents are foreign born. Immigrants are central to who we are. New York City is the most diverse city in the United States. It's also the largest. We have diasporas from every corner of this planet. We have languages from every corner of this world. We are a beautiful city because of it, but we are also a city where people struggle tremendously. We are a city that is both the richest and the most unequal in the country. And it was dad speaking to that reality that brought New Yorkers to demand profound transformation and to elect the first immigrant Muslim New Yorker as the mayor of the city. And that election represents a commitment to building a city where everyone is welcome, where everyone belongs, and where everyone can find dignity. That commitment is reflected in the actions of our city government every single day. And we strive for it to be reflected in the systems that people rely on in this city every day. For us, that commitment means access. Access to health care, access to housing that people can afford, access to child care that people can benefit from, access to good schools, access to legal support, access to information in a language people understand. And it also means access to safety. We are very committed as the city of immigrants, to protecting people from the inhumane and abusive immigration enforcement systems in this country and making New York City a place where immigrants are safe and feel safe every day. Because the realization, the potential that is contained in these incredible diversity is the potential of actually knowing that we belong, knowing that inclusion is not just a promise, but a reality. And that inclusion can only be achieved if services are available to the people who need them. It is about whether people can use those services without fear. It is about whether people can trust those who deliver those services, their government, without fear. It is about people knowing that their government has their back. This work is personal to me. I am an immigrant from Colombia. Like many Colombians, I came here, in some ways, leaving the violence of the country at the time and seeking to reunite with my family. I have spent my entire career organizing alongside immigrant communities to expand the promise of this country, to make it real for all of us. In New York City, we are turning that commitment into policy. We have built one of the largest municipal immigrant legal services networks in the United States to make sure that immigrant families who are facing deportation can access resources, to make sure that people can find the legal support they need in a moment of crisis. We also operate a very large immigrant legal support hotline that connects residents to clear, reliable assistance. We invest in English language learners and strengthen language access so that all New Yorkers can participate in civic life and access the services that these governments offer. And we work across agencies, health, housing, workforce, so that inclusion is built across systems, not just confined to one program. New Yorkers elected us to make sure that in this city, this city that was built by workers from every part of this planet, those same workers can afford to live here. And it is our commitment to make sure that those promises are true for people who are born in this country and are also true for people who arrived recently. We are working to make sure that New Yorkers are included, all immigrant New Yorkers are included, as we expand rights across our city so that everyone can live a full life of dignity. We are strengthening tenant protections so that families can remain in their homes and making sure that those tenant protections are extended to immigrant New Yorkers regardless of their immigration status. We are expanding access to childcare to make sure that parents can participate fully in daily life and making sure that that access is universal without excluding anyone, regardless of their immigration status. We are working to put in place the most innovative policies to protect the most vulnerable workers, like immigrant workers who deliver food every day and other essential workers, so that labor protections apply to everyone and are not optional in the city of New York. That is what it means to build a city where inclusion is real and where dignity is realized and not just a promise that is always getting farther away. Cities like New York need the partnership to sustain this work. And advancing the global compact requires investment in local governments, coordination across levels of government, and long term collaboration. The implementation of the solutions that are required for an organized and orderly and dignified migration happen in cities. And that is where inclusion is built day by day across systems and communities. And it is not built just by government. It's actually built by people who demand of their government. And we hear their demands, we celebrate their demands, and we try to embody this spirit of those demands. New York City's experience shows that when we invest in the systems that include people, we strengthen the fabric of our societies, the fabric of our cities, and we make dignity possible for everyone. I want to appreciate the important work that everyone who has traveled to New York and who's gathering here today is doing to make sure that we recognize both the beauty of migration and the challenges of migration, and work together to realize a world where people can have the freedom to stay in their homes and the freedom to move in search of safety and community and family, and the freedom to live lives of dignity. Thank you.


Chair [1:51:52]:

Thank you, Ms. Archila. We will now hear presentations from our distinguished panelists. And it is my pleasure to welcome Mr. Pedro de Vasconcelos, manager of the Financing Facility for Remittances of the International Fund for Agricultural Development.


IFAD · Manager, Financing Facility for Remittances · Pedro de Vasconcelos [1:52:11]:

Thank you, Chair, Ministers Excellencies, distinguished delegates and colleagues. Each year migrants send more than $650 billion to low and middle income countries. Behind those figures are millions of families supporting daily needs, managing risks and sustaining economies. For a rural family, this is not just a financial flow. Is the difference between coping and planning, between absorbing a shock and investing in the future. But this is only the part of the story. Migrants and diaspora also represent a much larger economic force. They hold an estimated $500 billion in savings with significant potential for investment. Around one third of these flows go to rural areas, where financial access is most limited, but also where these remittances matter the most. It is estimated that around $25 billion are invested in agri food systems supporting production and local markets. At the household level, the pattern is also very clear. 75% of the remittances received goes to immediate needs, food, education, health. The remaining 25% is either saved or invested. These are not marginal flows. They are central to resilience and local development. And this is the starting point really for the objective 19 and 20 we're discussing. But it's important to recall a fundamental principle when looking at those. One is that remittances are private resources. They belong to families. They should not be redirected. Public policy should expand the options available to these resources that can be therefore used safely and productively. And that takes me to objective 20. Progress has been significant since their adoption in 2018. Cost of decline the digitalization has transformed how remittances are sent and also received mobile money. Fintechs in real time payments have expanded access and increased competition. But important gaps remain. Cost is still above the target for many, many corridors, particularly in Africa. Digital infrastructure remains uneven and access remains limited, particularly for women and rural populations. More importantly, I think, is that the agenda has evolved. The question is no longer how or only how money is sent. It is what happens when it arrives. Remittances can have greater impact when linked with savings, credit, insurance and investment. This require not only connectivity, but strong financial ecosystems, appropriate products and enabling regulation. And the real shift that we are seeing is that there is a focus from cost reduction to a focus on value creation, particularly on remittances. From sending money to building financial resilience, from isolated transactions to integrated financial ecosystems. And that brings me to objective 19. Diasporas are increasingly recognized as development Actors, they invest, transfer skills and support innovation across borders. However, engagement remains fragmented. Many initiatives are short term and weekly coordinated. Data is limited and institutional frameworks are somewhat uneven. At the same time, barriers persist. High cost regulatory complexity and limit access to financial instruments. As a result, much of the potential remains untapped for many diaspora groups. And this is why we believe that these two objectives must be seen together. Objective 20 builds access and infrastructure and objective 90 enables investment and engagement. This priority now is, as we see it, integration of these two remittances and diaspora investment should be embedded into national development and financial inclusion strategies. It is happening already, but unfortunately in only a few countries that have large diasporas abroad. Public policy does not direct private resources. I like to say it slowly because it's one of the misconceptions, but. But what it can do, it can reduce barriers, expand access and support innovation. In practice, we know that that works. When digital systems combine with appropriate regulation, cost decline and access expands. When products are tailored, savings and investments increase. When diaspora engagements align with local priority, impact is the strongest. The solution exists. The challenge as we see it is scale Excellencies. The question is no longer whether remittances matter, they already do. The question is whether we are creating the systems that allow them to reach their full potential. This requires action on three stronger and more interoperable digital payment system, financial products adapted to migrants and rural households, and the systematic integration of diaspora engagement into national strategies. This is not about redirecting private resources. It's about enabling better choices. If we get this right, we move from flows to sustained consumption to systems that support resilience, investment and long term development. This is really the opportunity before us. Thank you.


Chair [1:58:07]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you so much. Let me just. We'll get ourselves back to the order. In order to maximize the time available to us, I will ask all panelists to observe the agreed time limit of four minutes. I'll now give way to my co chair to introduce the next panelist.


Philippines · Co-Chair [1:58:33]:

Yes. So Next will be Ms. Gladys Cisneros, Director of the Migrant Office of the International Labor Organization.


ILO · Director, Migrant Office · Gladys Cisneros [1:58:44]:

Thank you, Chair. Let me first start by highlighting the importance from the perspective of the International Labor Organization of considering the objectives of the GCM through a labour lens. We just heard the impressive statistics on remittance flows and migrant savings. That is possible because migrants work. Almost 2/3 of migrants are active in the labor market. So to ensure safe, orderly and regular migration, it means looking at migrants as workers, ensuring their effective labor protection. This includes measures addressed in this particular roundtable. Including through the support of labor attaches and consular protection, promoting effective access to services such as migrant resource centers and fostering labor market integration and protecting workers rights as a key element of social cohesion. When migrants can work in safe, fair and productive conditions, in other words, when they have decent work, they contribute fully to socioeconomic prosperity, to innovation and development. Migrant workers also contribute to building climate resilient societies through their skills, their cultural capital and adaptive knowledge. While highlighting this broader perspective, I would like to focus my intervention today on Objective 22. More specifically, safety is needed across migration processes, starting from fair and ethical recruitment and rights based pre departure orientation, through rights based pathways and decent work and respect for rights abroad and upon integration for those who wish to remain or return. For those who do so, Social Security is a critical tool to help ensure this safety across these stages. Social protection builds resilience against the adverse drivers of migration, giving people the freedom to make migration choices freely, not out of desperation. It empowers migrants to stand up to those who might seek to exploit them, giving them shelter from income, shocks from job loss, and enables long term social cohesion and integration. And portable social protection gives people the ability to return in dignity if they so choose, safe in the knowledge that they will still enjoy the benefits that they have earned. The benefits don't stop there. During the COVID 19 pandemic, for example, we saw that excluding migrants from healthcare made outcomes worse for everyone. Extending social protection to migrant workers also strengthens society as a whole. Including migrants and Social Security systems can reduce longer term costs and contribute to their financial sustainability. And it promotes fair competition in labor markets. But Social Security is not just a tool, it is a human right, one that should be enjoyed by everyone, migrants and non migrants alike. This explains why, under Objective 22 of the Global Compact for Migration, member states committed to supporting migrants of all skill levels to access social protection, including through the portability of benefits. And yet we know significant gaps remain. Today, 3.8 billion people worldwide still lack access to any form of social protection. Migrant workers and their families continue to face legal and practical barriers when it comes to health care. In many cases, laws and policies restrict access based on migration status or length of stay. Even where migrants are included, coverage can be limited by sector affecting workers, for example in agriculture or domestic work, informality in the labor market, gender and other factors can add additional layers of exclusion. Access is one part of the story. Even when migrants contribute to Social Security systems, sometimes for many years, they are not always able to access or transfer those benefits across borders. These gaps in turn, can drive informality and irregular migration, which benefits no one. As we work towards safe, orderly and regular migration toward the goals of universal social Protection under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Doha Political Declaration of the Second World Summit on Social Development, it is essential that migrant workers can both access and fully enjoy their social protection rights wherever they are. There are encouraging signs of progress. Groups that were previously excluded, such as migrant domestic workers, are increasingly being included in social protection systems. Bilateral, regional, international agreements are helping to make benefits more portable and evermore. States are ratifying ILO conventions that uphold the right to social protection for all. Supporting this progress is central to the mission of the ilo. We work closely with our constituents as well as with UN partners and stakeholders, including through the UN Network on Migration, to ensure that the labor dimensions of safe, orderly and regular migration are fully accounted for. This includes supporting states to extend social protection to everyone and delivering on objective 22 of the compact. We look forward to working with all of those who share this goal as we look forward to 2030 and beyond. Thank you.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:03:35]:

Thank you, Mrs. Narrows. Okay, I now give the floor to Ms. Josefina Ed Chenike, Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean of the Migration Youth and Children Platform.


MYCP · Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean · Josefina Ed Chenike [2:04:03]:

Thank you very much. It's an honour to be here today representing the Migration Youth and children platform, MyCEP. MyCEP is an organization that is led by and for young people with thousands of members around the world. It was created in response to the negotiations on the Global Compact for Migration. Its mandate is to advocate for the meaningful participation of children and young people and in migration policy spaces at the international level. Young people aged 25 and under represent approximately 22% of global migrants, and that is a proportion that goes up to 31% if we include those up to 29. I'm speaking today as the Regional representative for Latin America and the Caribbean. And I'm speaking on behalf of young people and children on the move whose rights are formally recognized, but which continue to be functionally inaccessible in practice. We are here because we believe and we know that spaces like this are absolutely necessary. But we're also here to bear witness to the existence of a gap between the global commitments that we've made and what is happening in their daily lives. A right that is functionally inaccessible isn't a sign of a lack of commitment. Rather, it is a sign of a systematic failing when it comes to implement that. That is to say, we don't need more agreements. What we're not managing to do is to turn them into a reality. And this also emerges from the most recent consultations carried out by my cp. In the area of education, children and adolescents continue to face formal and practical barriers that are preventing them from accessing education systems, even when they do have legal rights. The requirement for documents that are impossible to obtain, school fees and language barriers all continue to exclude them, and that applies in particular to those that are in an irregular situation. Similarly, in the area of health, young migrants face multiple legal restrictions, lack of culturally competent care, critical gaps in the area of mental health and sexual and reproductive health. In our consultations, fear of deportation also emerged as something that is stopping young people from asking for help even in emergency situations. And this is no small thing. Fear also is becoming a barrier to access. The guiding question of this panel is how to ensure safe and non discriminatory access to basic services regardless of migration status. The answer cannot be limited to one off measures. Guaranteeing access to education and health for young migrants is in and of itself a systemic change. Exclusion from the education system or the healthcare system isn't just a violation of a right. It also constitutes a critical determinant of their social inclusion, stability and economic participation in the long term. In other words, what happens today determines their possibilities in the future. We're not asking for a gesture of generosity. Rather we're asking for structural policy decisions with returns, long term returns for all of society. Countries like Germany and Colombia have shown that inclusive education systems are possible. Those models exist. All we need to do is to begin to replicate those systems. And that is why we have three specific appeals to Member States. First, eliminate administrative and economic barriers to access to education and health, guaranteeing access regardless of migration status. Second, promote systems for the mutual recognition of qualifications over borders that will allow for the continuity of education and job opportunities and expand access to higher education and informal education pathways, particularly for people whose education was interrupted. And third, investing in the use of data. This involves the development of disaggregated data broken down by age, gender, migration status and disability with clear and measurable indicators. Without accountability frameworks, commitments will remain mere aspirations because if something isn't prioritized, it ends up being excluded. And lastly, young people are not just the subjects of these policies, they are also drivers of solutions to these challenges. And that is why we are asking for young people to be considered as stakeholders in the Global Compact. To achieve this, the meaningful participation of young people in migration governance needs to be institutionalised so that their involvement isn't merely limited to being listened to, but also they need to be present at every stage from policy design to policy evaluation. It also means investing in youth led organisations, building genuine feedback mechanisms and making sure that when young people are in these spaces, they are indeed there to influence decisions. To all of those present here today, I would say that the IMRF should close the gap between the commitments we've made and what young migrants really experience. And I can assure you that many young people around the world have the leadership. They have the ability to co design solutions together with you. Thank you.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:09:50]:

Thank you so much. Jose Fina Echnike before we begin the discussion, I would like to remind delegations that there is no pre established list of speakers. Delegations wishing to take the floor after the presentations by panelists are invited to press the microphone button starting now. Those speaking on behalf of a group should approach the Secretariat in order to be given priority in the speaking order and to allow maximum participation by all. Members are requested to limit their interventions to 5 minutes when speaking on behalf of a group and 3 minutes when speaking in a national capacity. Capacity time limits will be strictly enforced through an automatic microphone cutoff and to assist speakers with time management, a timer will be projected on the screens. I thank you for your cooperation. I would like to express my appreciation to our panelists for their presentation. We will now hear comments and questions from delegations. Members are requested to limit their interventions to 5 minutes when speaking on behalf of a group and 3 minutes when speaking in a national capacity. Time limits will be strictly enforced through an automatic microphone cut off. To assist speakers with time management, we have projected a timer on the screens. Delegates may also submit their full length statements to the Secretariat to estatementsn.org the text of statements submitted will be posted on estatements in the United Nations Journal. I thank you for your cooperation. Okay, so we begin. We will have the interventions from the following Nigeria Eswatini, China, South Africa, Guinea Bissau and then from the United Nations Development Program and the Solidarity Center. So we begin with Nigeria,


Nigeria · Tony Juku [2:12:36]:

The co chairs and delegates. Distinguished delegates, I'm making this intervention on behalf of Nigeria. My name is Tony Juku. Nigeria recognizes maximizing diaspora contributions for national development and the protection of diaspora as inseparable. Two sides of the the same coin. Nigeria views her diaspora not only as remittance centers but as strategic partners in national transformation and the citizens to be protected. We recognize that while meaningful progress has been made in diaspora engagement and migrant protection, many existing support systems globally remain more reactive than preventive. We believe that effective protection must begin long before a migrant enters a crisis situation. As such, operational Systems must be continuously strengthened to improve early warning mechanisms, crisis preparedness, case management and seamless coordination between ministries, missions abroad and host country institutions. Nigeria is therefore prioritizing a strategic transition from reactive consular response to preventive diaspora governance. This includes strengthening accessible consular services, improving digital communication channels for citizens abroad, enhancing data systems with full respect for privacy and protection standards and deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation to support migrants in vulnerable situations throughout the migration cycle. Our collective goal must be clear to ensure that protection is timely, coordinated, dignified and available for vulnerable for vulnerability escalates into crisis. I want to thank you for your attention.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:14:47]:

Thank you, Nigeria. Next we have Eswatini. Eswatini, please. None. Okay, next china, please.


China [2:15:00]:

Thank you, Chair Colleagues, the Chinese government takes the implementation of the GCM very seriously and combining the theme of this roundtable, we would like to experience to share the experiences. First of all, in terms of Objective 14, the Chinese government follows the People Centered Development philosophy and place great importance to safety safeguarding the rights and interests of Chinese nationals abroad. And this approach is aligned with the principle advocated by the GCM and the Chinese consular officials prioritized putting the concept of diplomacy for the people into practice. In 2019, or rather in 2023, we promulgated the Regulation of the PRC on Consular Protection and assistance clarify the rights, responsibilities and obligations of governments at all levels and and to improve the institutionalization and standardization of the work. And also secondly, we have launched the Consular Protection Hotline developing it as a initiative of diplomacy for the people. This provides around the clock real time and accessible channel for seeking assistance. It has gained widespread attention and acclaim. And a third, we have established a mechanism overseas to ensure the safety and protection of citizens and in cases of emergencies, for example example regional conflicts, we mobilize resources to assist citizens to evacuate. In recent years, the Chinese government in Ukraine, Sudan, Lebanon and Iran, et cetera, has carried out such evacuation work. And also during these operations we tried our best to assist citizens from other countries to evacuate. And the fourth is about preventive consular protections. We try to have public awareness campaigns in schools, businesses, communities and rural areas. We also have launched new media platforms to educate on the public about basic safety knowledge is to improve people's awareness about their awareness and also their capacity for self protection. And fifthly, is to provide facilitation for consular officials from foreign countries to carry out their work. And Chinese government is committed to improving the services to facilitate social integration of foreign nationals. We have introduced a new version of the Permanent Residence ID card for foreigners and is accelerating in its application in key areas. We also have a multilingual 24. 7 service hotline and it has six official languages of the UN. Or rather we have a government website which has six UN official languages and more than 50 million foreign language inquiries have been made. We have more than 400 immigration service centers and also a bilingual living in China app has been published and we try to address difficulties faced by foreign professionals in their work and life in China. So, in summary, China's consular protection assistance efforts focus on both preventive measures and emergency responses, effectively reducing safety risks for Chinese nationals abroad. Microphone has been cut.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:18:00]:

Thank you, China. Next we have South Africa.


South Africa [2:18:08]:

Thank you, Chairperson. South Africa appreciates the inputs that have been received from the panelists. As a country, we do agree with the needs to strengthen migration governance and ensure the protection of the human rights of migrants throughout the migration journey and we call for strengthened collaboration from countries, countries of origin, transit and destination. We further call for strengthened international cooperation to ensure the structural challenges that contribute to people being forced to migrate are addressed, including investments in communities, ensuring access to basic services like education, social protection and promoting social cohesion. Chairs Person it would also be important to ensure that the national development plans that many countries have are well funded. South Africa is guided by the Constitution and the National Development Plan in managing international migration, thus ensuring that both the respect for the human rights of migrants and contributions to economic development are realized. South Africa has a history of providing regular pathways for various migrant groups, recognizing the mixed migration flows in the southern routes, which often end in South Africa as a destination country. South Africa has recently adopted the revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection, which integrates three pieces of legislation, the Immigration Act, Refugees act and the Citizenship Act. The White Paper aims to ensure that the various categories of migrants receive the protection that they deserve and that the quality those qualifying for international protection do receive it. The provisions of the revised White Paper further expand pathways for migrants, introducing new visa regimes while also ensuring that the requirements and procedures to follow are very clear, thus reducing abuse. The new policy also introduces measures this will ensure that all children born in South Africa are registered registered and that vital statistics are captured irrespective of the legal status of their parents, thus strengthening the legal identities of children born in the country. All children, irrespective of migration status, have access to basic education and other social services. In fact, this applies to also all other categories of migrants. South Africa has also strengthened its border management through the operationalization of the Border Management Authority and through strengthening our determination digitalization to ensure fair and ethical recruitment and addressing trafficking in person. South Africa is also working on a number of bilateral agreements with a number of countries to ensure the protection of South Africans abroad. Lastly, our consular services across the world continue to provide support to South Africans working abroad. Thank you, Chairpersons.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:21:06]:

Thank you, South Africa. Next we have Guinea Bissau.


Guinea-Bissau [2:21:14]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, distinguished members, ladies and gentlemen. Guinea Bissau approaches this roundtable from a clear conviction. Migration for countries such as ours is not an abstract policy domain, but a lived reality shaped by mobility, vulnerability and opportunity. The credibility of the global Compact will therefore be measured not by the breadth of its commitments, but by the effectiveness of its implementation. So, on objective 14, Guinea Bissau calls for strengthened consular protection anchored in interoperability between countries of origin, transit and destination. Such systems must be secure, rights based and fully compliant with data protection standards standards. We also emphasize the need for proximity based consular services, including digital and decentralized mechanisms capable of reaching migrants in mixed and irregular movements. Objective 15. We reaffirm a fundamental principle. Access to essential services must be universal and non discriminatory, regardless of migration status. Health, education, water, housing and sanitation are not privileges. They are minimum guarantees of dignity. Migrants must be explicitly included in national systems and emergency preparedness frameworks. Regarding objective 16, social cohesion is built through participation, not mere presence. Guinea Bissau therefore supports the empowerment of migrants as active contributors to host countries through structured inclusion, local dialogue mechanisms and civic participation at community level. Concerning Objective 19, we emphasize the strategic role of diasporas as partners in national development. Their contribution extends beyond remittances to include knowledge transfer, investment and social support systems. We call for their structured integration, international development and financing strategies, while addressing persistent barriers linked to cost fragmentation and unequal access, particularly for Women. On Objective 20, we stress the urgency of the reducing of reducing remittance transfer costs and strengthening secure digital financial infrastructures. Remittances must be leveraged not only as consumption support, but as catalysts for productive investments and decent job creation in countries of origin, including Guinea Bissau. On Objective 22, we call for the establishment and strengthening of binding bilateral and regional framework that guarantee portability of social protection rights in accordance with international standards, including ilo.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:24:16]:

Thank you, guinea bissau. Next. Thank you. Next we have Senegal. Senegal, please.


Senegal [2:24:51]:

Mr. Chair. The Senegalese delegation would like to focus on the implementation of goals 19 and 20 of the global Compact on Migration through the Migratory Policy document adopted through an inclusive process with all national actors involved. The Government of Senegal made its diaspora an important actor for our national agenda for transformation and development of the Territories. The Senegalese Diaspora is presented in this document as a source of financial remittances, but also a reservoir of skills, innovation, investment, expertise and civil participation in practice. We would like to mention several initiatives already implemented which will be strengthened as part of our 20252029 Plan of Action for National Migratory Policy. These include the institutionalization and annual celebration of the Day of Senegalese Diaspora, which helps to assess the strategic contribution of Senegalese abroad in economic development, social equity, promoting initiatives and mechanisms established to support the partners of our compatriots, as well as the launching of a project called Serving One's country, the goal of which is to highlight the expertise and skills of the Senegalese Diaspora based on volunteering and strengthening their citizens participation in development. Creating a Fund for Diaspora to transform remittances into productive investments, including when it comes to social, housing and real estate, as well as finding partnerships with institutional international financial institutions to facilitate remittances from work and savings, as well as a trust fund for migrants who wish to invest in productive projects. A financial Inclusion program for migrants launched in 2018 on the part of the Central bank of the States of West Africa to facilitate access of migrants to financial services. Here, the goals for our country mainly have to do with establishing legal frameworks and fiscal mechanisms to to encourage productive investment on the part of the Senegalese diaspora. Thank you.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:27:07]:

Thank you, Senegal. Next we have the United Nations Development Program.


UNDP [2:27:13]:

Honorable Co Chairs, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, please allow me to offer some reflections from UNDP after listening to such a rich discussion. Almost eight years since its adoption, the Global Compact is increasingly reflected in national policy frameworks. However, the harder step, translating that recognition into costed strategies, budgets and capacities at the national and especially local levels for migrants is happening unevenly. Cities, regions and frontline service providers where the Compact's commitments on basic services, social cohesion and inclusion become real for people, remain chronically under resourced. Allow me to offer three brief points on closing that gap. First, migration belongs in the frameworks that plan and finance development, national development plans, financing strategies, climate plans and job strategies. UNDP works with governments and partners on this and is ready to scale that support. Second, diaspora capital is already a development resource at around US700 billion. Remittances to low and middle income countries far exceed ODA. Yet diaspora bonds and impact investment vehicles remain underused. With the right instruments, including sovereign diaspora bonds, these flows can be channeled into quality jobs and livelihoods, climate, resilient infrastructure, local enterprise development and access to essential services for migrants. Third, the local level needs to be backed both financially and with capacity. Cities and regions are where compacts meet people's lives and where social cohesion is either built or eroded. Work on local governance and on countering hate speech, discrimination and the polarization that fuels them are long standing UNDP priorities. These require sustained partnership and resource. Behind every figure and framework. There are people who, like all of us, want to live in dignity, in safety, and with the freedom to build a better life for themselves and their families. Migrants contribute to the development for every society and every economy represented at the United Nations. The question for us is whether our financing, planning and partnership instruments will match their ambition and their contribution. UNDP stands ready to work with Member States in closing this gap. Thank you.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:29:55]:

Thank you, undp. Next we have the Solidarity Center.


Solidarity Center · trade union representatives [2:30:03]:

On behalf of the over 20 trade union representatives here at the IMRF representing millions of migrant workers globally whose voices are not being heard in this room, I note that as the global trade union movement, we are witnessing a severe regression in the rights of migrant workers and major policy incoherence. Governments continue to celebrate migration as a development strategy, but it is not development to replace poverty at home with exploitation abroad. We appreciate the Declaration's focus on the right to stay. Our research in Honduras found that garment workers were 25% less likely to migrate when protected by union and a collective bargaining agreement. Decent work in origin communities must be prioritized over exploitative temporary labor migration schemes. It is also not development when millions of migrant workers, especially in low wage sectors, are denied access to Social Security protections and portable Social Security options, even when their labor and remittances contribute to such systems. Social protection is not only a fundamental lever for ensuring the dignity of all. It is the foundation of the sustainable development of our economies and our shared prosperity. Destination countries rely on low wage migrants to harvest our food, build our homes, and take care of our children, our elderly, our sick. Yet they trap them in temporary labor migration schemes that are inherently exploitative or fail to give them status through regularization. All work has dignity. Yet low wage migrant workers, documented and undocumented, are systematically denied their fundamental labor rights. Most critically, they are denied freedom of association and the right to collectively bargain through temporary labor migration schemes that tie their visas to a particular employer. If they try to join a union, complain about high temperatures, dangerous working conditions or wage theft, they are simply blacklisted and risk detention and deportation. And if they are undocumented, the employer benefits from their labor. But again, they cannot complain because of their precarious status. Migrant workers also have limited to no access to justice without collective bargaining or portable justice mechanisms, workers return home without their stolen wages or compensation for injuries. We call for truly rights based pathways. States should not offer empty praise for essential workers while maintaining schemes that force family separation. If destination countries need migrant care, construction and agriculture workers, they must have policies that allow these workers to join unions and bring their own families with them as they care for ours. We must stop treating labor rights as a policy option and start treating them as a non negotiable global standard. Thank you so much.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:32:54]:

Thank you. Solidarity center and I'll give the floor to the distinguished representatives of United Republic of Tanzania followed by Georgia and Burkina Faso, Saudi Arabia and Mali. The World Health Organization Prophet of Azure Province, Ecuador to United Republic of Tanzania, please. Are you here, Tanzania? Okay, Thank you.


United Republic of Tanzania [2:33:25]:

Right, Chairperson. On behalf of the United Public of Tanzania, I have honor to report that Tanzania has made significant strides advancing implementation of the objectives of the Global Compact for Immigration including the objectives within the objective 15. The 15th objective. Tanzania has national sectoral policies such as health policy, education policy and children protection frameworks such support access to essential services for immigration and refugees. Tanzania Constitution guarantees quality and non discrimination public awareness initiatives promoting inclusion and tolerance towards immigration and refugees. Objective 16 Tanzania cooperates with the international partners to support voluntary litan and reintegration where necessary, particularly in cases involving victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrants. On other hand, we are using community integration programs to promote peaceful coexistence and social cohesion between hostile communities and migrants. 19. The Government Foreign Policy recognized the Diaspora as the development partners and promoting Diaspora engagement through investment forums, limitance facilitation and diplomatic outreach. The Minister of Foreign affairs and East African Cooperation has established a Diaspora Engagement on Opportunities Division to strengthen the Diaspora participation development initiatives. Remittance infra contributes significantly to Tanzania's economy, Financial inclusion digital payment systems to support limitless transfers. Tanzania has also established a specific arrangement through the bank of Tanzania to implement this initiative's digital financial services and licensing payments. Services to provide and improve remittance accessibility and affordability has boosted our economy and ensures reliable data available for policy development. Tanzania remains firm committed to effective implementation and full realization of the Global Compact. Ensuring migration occurs in a safe and orderly regulatory manner. I humbly submit. Honorable Chair, I thank you.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:36:17]:

Thank you, Tanzania. I'll give this to the floor. To Georgia, please.


Georgia [2:36:24]:

Please. Mr. Chair. Your Excellencies, distinguished colleagues. It's a great pleasure to participate in this roundtable and to contribute to our shared discussion on migration governance. Migration today is dynamic, multidimensional and steadily increasing for Georgia this is not an abstract trend. Our citizens live, work and study across the globe. This reality places a growing responsibility on the state to protect their rights, ensure access to essential services and maintain strong and meaningful connection with them, regardless of distance. In this context, consular services play an important role. They go beyond using documents or providing emergency assistance. No country can maintain a physical presence everywhere its citizens reside. For Georgia with a widely pressed diaspora, this challenge is particularly relevant. It requires us to move beyond traditional models of service delivery and embrace more flexible, flexible and innovative approaches, most notably, digitalization. Digitalization has therefore become central to our approach. Georgia's consular online platform enables citizens abroad to access a wide range of services remotely, from registration to application and essential information. It reduces geographic barriers and ensures continuity of services even in times of crisis. However, digital tools alone are not sufficient. Effective consular services depend on qualified, well trained professionals. Even in an increasingly digital environment, the human element, empathy, responsiveness and trust remain indispensable. Distinguished colleagues Migration is also a powerful driver of sustainable development. Migrants contribute skills, innovation and entrepreneurship, while diaspora serve as a bridge between countries, facilitating trade, investment and cultural exchange. To fully unlock this potential, we must create enabling conditions. First, we must empower economic and social contribution by facilitating remittances, supporting entrepreneurship and ensuring recognition of all skills of qualifications. Second, strong policy and institutional frameworks are essential. Migration must be integrated into development strategies, supported by dedicated institutions and informed by reliable data. Finally, we must leverage partnership and technology. Cooperation between governments, diaspora organizations and civil society, along with the use of digital tools, can significantly enhance engagement and impact. I thank you.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:39:05]:

Thank you, Georgia, Burkina Faso, Please.


Burkina Faso [2:39:11]:

Thank you. Chair since the previous forum 2022, Burkina Faso has achieved significant progress in implementation of the goals of the Global Compact. In the end of March of this year, we've submitted a voluntary national report and a report on good practices in terms of engagement of the diaspora. We have adopted our first national plan for implementation of global compact with regard to the commitment of the diaspora. And we have received more than 300 billion CFA francs from our diaspora. And this helps Burkina Faso be resilient through supporting our defense forces and supporting internally displaced persons. We also have what we call community entrepreneurship, in which the diaspora contributes significantly to the building of a community of entrepreneurs. In this community, we have about 500 million CFA francs being produced. We also have Faso Mebu, which is our road infrastructure, where our diaspora voluntarily contribute to building road infrastructure, Including as well, renovations of these cities of Burkina Faso. And what's unique in the engagement of our diaspora is that for the first time, we are undertaking what's called the Diaspora Bond, which will soon be launched and which will allow Burkina Faso to ensure that the diaspora can serve as an alternative to financing for the conventional mechanisms of financing for development. And what also is unique in Burkina Faso is that we have opened up to the African diaspora through people of African descent throughout the world who are coming to invest in our country and who are a tool to achieve what was so desired by the African Founding fathers, the African Unity, including the diaspora. So the Diaspora are the driver of the reaffirmation of our national sovereignty as well as the tool for bringing about African unity. Thank you.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:41:45]:

Thank you. Burkina Faso, Saudi Arabia, please.


Saudi Arabia [2:41:52]:

Thank you, Chairperson.

Your Excellencies. We give great importance to enhance a balanced management of migration issues based on our commitment to international cooperation and international principles and having legislation that supports regular and orderly migration to implement the rights of migrants. As part of the objectives of our Vision 2030, to achieve objective 14 related to enhancing consular protection, assistance and cooperation, we enhance cooperation with origin countries to facilitate protecting the rights of laborers and workers. We have signed 31 bilateral labor agreements, including measures to prevent the trafficking in persons, while having also licensed agencies and enabling workers to reach services that would protect their rights. As for Objective 15, providing access to basic services, our systems provide for basic rights without discrimination, including the right to education, health care and labor. The Ministry of Education accepts the children of migrants in government schools and the number of students has reached over 1.4 million students. There is also in 2020 a decree to take in the children from the live of those who are there and not on a regular basis. And the number of beneficiaries in 2025 was almost 118,000 students in public schools. As part of objective 20 regarding remittance and we have worked on developing the investment environment and the flaws of foreign investment. In 2023 was around 96 billion Saudi Riyals, which is 50% more than 2020. We also guarantee the right of a worker to transfer their money. And in 2020 it was 145 billion. Saudi Arabia in order to increase development in their countries of origin. This reflects the balanced approach that we have that combines protecting human rights and enhancing development and managing migration issues. Thank you.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:44:36]:

Thank you. Saudi arabia. I'll move on to mali. Please. Madame La President,


Mali [2:44:47]:

co chairs. Ladies and gentlemen. Mali is honored to contribute to this collective reflection fully in line with the objectives which we share regarding consular protection. In accordance with Objective 14, Mali is working to ensure that its nationals abroad have effective, modern and rapid assistance. In this regard, we have Begun the digitalization of consular services, improved access to administrative documents and strengthened assistance mechanisms, including during crises on access to basic services. Objective 15. This is a fundamental right for all migrants. Mali is therefore working to facilitate access to civil status documents, education, healthcare, while also strengthening social protection. On inclusion and social cohesion. Objective 16 Mali considers that this is an essential pillar of stability. We are promoting inclusive policies that make the most of migrants contributions and combating discrimination as well as hate speech. Inclusion is a sustainable investment in cohesion and peace regarding the diaspora and their role in development. Objective 19 Mali believes that the diaspora is a strategic object. Several initiatives have been undertaken, including the Diaspora Forum, the consultation framework with Malians abroad, a program for the transfer of skills, as well as an initiative covering direct dialogue. Our aim is to make the diaspora a major lever of economic and social transformation. Regarding objective 20 remittances. This represents an essential contribution to the resilience of households and local development. The government is encouraging digitalization, the reduction in costs and their re orientation towards productive investments. In that regard, we call for more accessible, more inclusive financing mechanisms that are better adapted to the realities of migrants. Lastly, on social protection related to objective 22, Mali remains committed to strengthening national systems. The portability of social rights and extending coverage to migrants through dignified migration absolutely requires effective social protection. Thank you very much.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:47:21]:

Thank you. Distinguished representative of Mali. I'll call on World Health Organization, please.


WHO [2:47:27]:

Yeah, thank you. Chair who welcomes the continued momentum in advancing Objective 15, particularly in ensuring equitable access to health services for migrants. At the World Health Organization, we support Member States in translating this commitment into concrete implementation. Let me highlight three key priorities aligned with the International Migration Review Forum. First, strengthening Generating evidence based approach. The 2026 WHO World Report on the Health of Refugees and Migrants established for the first time a global baseline of progress introduced monitoring framework to track implementation. This is complemented by who's broader work on research and evidence generation, including global evidence reviews and thematic analysis, which support countries in identifying effective approaches and addressing policy gaps. Second, strengthening health system in practice. WHO worked directly. WHO worked directly with countries through health system reviews and capacity building initiatives, supporting the integration of migrant health international systems and improving service delivery. In this context, the WHO School on Health and Migration plays a key role in building technical capacity equipping policymakers and practitioners with the skills needed to design implement inclusive evidence informed response. Third, translating knowledge into policy and practice. Evidence research and training must converge into operational change, ensuring that policy lead to effective access to service and community of care for all populations. Looking ahead Objective 15 requires sustained investment in systems that can measure, reach and serve all population effectively. Simply put, without data, inclusion cannot be measured and without inclusive systems, commitment cannot be delivered. Strengthening health systems for migrants is not a parallel agenda. It is central to universal coverage and to the performance of health systems overall. I thank you.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:49:54]:

Thank you. Who I move on to Prophet of Azure Province, Ecuador, please.


Azuay Province [2:50:08]:

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Hello. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. On behalf of Azwai Province, as the provincial prefect in the south of Ecuador, and also to the distinguished delegations, I would like to say that human mobility is not an abstract phenomenon, it is a structural reality. We are territories of origin, destination and internal displacement. In 2023, more than 210,000 Ecuadorians left the country, the highest figure on record. At the same time, more than 22,000 migrants live in our Asui province and around 18,000 have been internally displaced and are there now. This raises a key conclusion. Migration can now no longer be managed at the national level. It has to be addressed at the territorial or regional or local level. Because in places where migrant persons get access or don't get access to protection and services, that's where the response needs to be. In Aswe Province, we have promoted a specific model called the Local compact and that involves international participation with municipalities and civil society. In line with the global Compact. Firstly, we institutionalize the local response. In 2024, we approved a provincial order which establishes a comprehensive framework for the protection of rights for persons in a condition of human mobility and their families. Second, we have been working on prevention. We are active in communities with high migration potential, generating and sharing information on the risks and generating local economic opportunities to reduce forced migration. Third, we are strengthening integration within the territories through social care centers in rural areas and municipal spaces for migrants. We have called these communities for life and we are guaranteeing access, care and support. Fourth, we are supporting the work and dignified sustainable return of migrants. We are promoting the productive use of remittances and creating the conditions for a social and economic integration. This approach has one central element and that is multi level shared responsibility. Local governments are the first point of contact, but our competences and resources are limited. Without effective coordination with the national level and without international cooperation, the impact is insufficient. And therefore we have three appeals to strengthen the capacities of sub national governments to guarantee access to direct financing and to consolidate mechanisms for real coordination between different levels of government. It's not about stopping people from moving, but rather addressing the conditions that force them to move.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:53:04]:

The distinguished representative. The distinguished representative of Ecuador. Thank you. Next we have Jamaica, Marshall Islands, El Salvador, Lebanon, Norway, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the African Non State Actors Platform so Jamaica, please.


Jamaica [2:53:34]:

Jamaica is honored to participate in this Inter Ministerial Migration Review Forum and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. As a country with a long and dynamic migration history, we recognize both the opportunities and the complex challenges migration presents today. Jamaica draws attention to a critical, yet often under examined dimension of migration governance, the treatment, return and reintegration of involuntary return migrants. In alignment with Objective 21, we emphasize that returns must be conducted in a safe, dignified and right based manner. However, we remain concerned that in some instances migrants experience prolonged detention, limited access to legal support on conditions that may fall short of international human rights standards. These realities underscore the intrinsic link between objective 13, ensuring that migration detention is

used only as a measure of last

resort and sustainable reintegration outcome. While Objective 16 calls for the promotion of full inclusion and social coercion, many returnees encounter compounding barriers including stigma and exclusion, which limit access to employment and community support. Documentation gaps, as addressed under Objective 4, further restricts access to basic services and formal economic participation. Additionally, the psychosocial impact of forced return highlights the importance of objective 15, ensuring access to essential services including mental health and psychosocial support. In response, Jamaica is strengthening its reintegration framework through a coordinated whole of government and whole of society approach.

This includes improving access to identification and

social services, expanding trauma informed care and facilitating pathways to employment and entrepreneurship. With the right support system in place, returning migrants can become agents of development, contributing skills, resilience and experience to their home countries. However, this potential can only be realized if their rights are upheld.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:56:36]:

Thank you, thank you Jamaica Marshall Islands Please


Marshall Islands [2:56:44]:

Excellencies, distinguished guests, delegates, the Republic of the Marshall Islands welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this sessions review on both progress and challenges for objectives 14, 15, 16, 19, 20 and 22. We are finalizing our first national migration policy to address key global objectives and our recent experience provides us with the key reflections relevant to multilateral uptake. As a small Pacific island nation developing state, we face complex pressures both causing and resulting from a 20% population decline between 2010 and 2020. Our nation is now facing a growing and severe economic and social gap from depopulation even as we work to improve access to services and conditions for external and internal migration migrant communities. Our draft policy goals provide an important foundation for action to build new employment and social development opportunities to accelerate resilience. This includes policy incentives to promote entrepreneurship, job training and improve access to health and education. We can best tackle migration challenges by working across sectors and with targeted policy interventions in priority areas. We are working to build collaboration and support for our diaspora networks abroad to share information on employment, cultural knowledge and opportunities to contribute to our home development. Our diaspora will be vital in helping to change the tide and ensure migration can contribute positively to our growth. We are also working closely with local partners to better support returnees, including with an assisted return and reintegration program. A key recommendation we are further addressing is to establish a one stop shop for targeted pre departure information on expectations and regulations for immigration and mobility. Remittances often flow outwards money from home to support our population abroad who struggle with access to employment or social services. Migration affects every aspect of governance and we look forward to strengthening support and returning and turning policy into action. I thank you.


Philippines · Co-Chair [2:59:19]:

Thank you, Marshall Islands. Next we have El Salvador.


El Salvador [2:59:27]:

Thank you very much. Chair, Excellencies, Distinguished Panelists, El Salvador has made significant progress in areas such as the digitalization of consular services, expanding access to basic services and strengthening the role of diasporas in development. However, there are still significant gaps, particularly for migrants in a situation of vulnerability. This requires us to redouble our efforts at the national, regional and multilateral levels for El Salvador protection and the support of our diaspora is a strategic priority. In line with objective 14, we have strengthened our consular network incorporating digital tools and mechanisms that are more flexible and which can provide timely assistance to our fellow national abroad, particularly in contexts of vulnerability and crisis. On Objective 15, we recognize that access to basic services continues to be a critical challenge. We therefore underscore the importance of moving towards policies that guarantee non discriminatory access to services such as health, education and social protection regardless of migration status and at the same time strengthening capacities at the local level for effective implementation. Building inclusive societies is also key. In the Context of Objective 16, El Salvador is promoting initiatives aimed at strengthening social cohesion, combating discrimination and fostering a positive narrative about migration. Recognizing the valuable contribution that migrants make to economic, social and cultural development and moreover, in line with Objective 19, we highlight the strategic role of our diaspora as drivers of development. Through connection, investment and knowledge transfer programs, we are working to channel their potential to benefit the country's development by strengthening links both abroad and at home. In relation with objective 20, we recognize the transformative impact of remittances as a key source of of incomes and resilience for thousands of families. In that regard, we believe it is a priority to continue making headway on reducing transaction costs, promoting financial inclusion, and developing tools that help channel these resources into productive investments. Lastly, on Objective 22, we underscore the importance of moving towards mechanisms that allow for the portability of Social Security rights, making it easier for migrants to access and transfer their benefits throughout the migration cycle, in line with international standards. Thank you very much.


Philippines · Co-Chair [3:02:25]:

Thank you El Salvador Next Lebanon


Lebanon [3:02:32]:

thank you Mr. Chair for giving me the floor at the outset. I would like to thank the speakers for their insightful remarks. Mr. Chair, Lebanon remains committed to address migration as a tool to unlock opportunities, reflecting its long standing cognition of the importance and value of migration as a country of origin, transit and destination. Lebanon is also a country for immigration with deep rooted historical ties to migration, a key contributor to economic, social culture and development progress. It is essential to shift the narrative on migration by recognizing the positive contributions of migrants, including remittances and the role of diaspora communities as agents of change. Lebanon received more than $6 billion in remittances in 2024. Moreover, remittance flows to low and middle income countries like Lebanon are projected to cumulatively reach 3.5 trillion by 2030. As highlighted in the GCM and the Compromiso de Sevilla adopted last year, efforts are needed to reduce transfer costs, promote digital solutions and enhance financial inclusion. Lebanon continues to promote the important role of its diaspora as a bridge for cooperation and a key contributor to national development, including through investment and knowledge transfer with its high skilled migrants, particularly in the health sector. The Beirut 1 conference held in Beirut last November served as an investment platform to advance development in key sectors such as construction, tourism and technology, and to promote opportunities for the private sector, the Lebanese diaspora and international partners efforts are also extend to facilitating the political participation of Lebanese abroad, ensuring the vote of the diaspora in the parliamentary elections. Mr. Chair, in Lebanon, migrants have been included in government led emergency response frameworks, including the Humanitarian Flagship Appeal launched in last March following the latest war which has resulted in displacement of 1.2 million people including migrants and migrant workers. The government is committed to ensuring that assistance reaches all vulnerable population, including migrants, including in shelters, in a fair and dignified manner. Moreover, Lebanon has always worked to ensure that migrants have access to healthcare and essential services through partnership with UN agencies and NGOs. As the Ministry of Public Health works with partners to support access for vulnerable migrants to preventive, primary and secondary health care service and disease treatment programs regardless of migration status. I thank you Mr. Chair.


Philippines · Co-Chair [3:05:08]:

Thank you Lebanon. Next we have Norway. Please


Norway [3:05:15]:

Chair, Excellencies, distinguished Panelists, thank you for this informative roundtable and debate. In line with the ambition of GCM Objective 16 on Inclusion and social cohesion, Norway's integration policy aims to increase employment, build strong communities and social arenas and to promote gender equality. We see integration as a two way approach. On the one hand, the government sets clear demands and expects immigrants to learn Norwegian, find employment and take active part in the community. On the other, we provide support through language training and social studies, which is regulated by law in the Integration Act. Currently, a new strategy is under development to further enhance sustainable integration. Norway is also dedicated to work against racism and discrimination through legislation and targeted action plans. Under the current four year action plan, 50 measures are under implementation, focusing especially on racism and discrimination against youth and in the workplace. The Norwegian government also encourages and supports civic participation in different ways. Immigrants have the right to vote in local elections in Norway even without Norwegian citizenship. The requirement is that they must have been registered as resident in the National Population register in Norway for the last three years before election day. In line with the GCM objective 19 to create conditions for migrants and diaspora to fully contribute to sustainable development in all countries, Norway recognized civil society and NGOs as important partners for integration and inclusion. Participation in civil society among migrants and their children is encouraged through different financial grant schemes to NGOs for projects at both national and local levels and by creating platforms for dialogue on progress. Norway also recognizes that inclusion under underpins an active diaspora engagement. We see a diverse civil society as a strength and important to secure an inclusive, democratic and stable society. Thank you.


Philippines · Co-Chair [3:07:40]:

Thank you, Norway. Next we have the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Please.


IFAD [3:07:47]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm delivering this joint statement on behalf of IFAD NFL. In this period of global uncertainty, the second international migration review Forum offers a unique opportunity to renew commitments to the positive role of migrants in sustainable development, especially through the remittances they send and the investment they make. This was Central to the 2022 IMRF progress declaration and today we must both recognize progress and align with current realities. Remittances are now among the largest financial flows to low and middle income countries, exceeding $650 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $3.5 trillion by 2030. Global frameworks, including the recent Sevilla commitment of the Fourth International Conference on Financial Financing for Development, increasingly recognize their transformative impact, particularly in promoting financial inclusion in rural areas. The challenge is no longer just reducing cost, but maximizing development impact. Remittances support financial inclusion, resilience, food security and entrepreneurship, especially in rural communities. Diaspora contributions also strengthen agri food systems, especially climate resilience and youth opportunities through investment, knowledge and market access. However, significant challenges remain. Costs are still above the 3% SDG target and financial and digital gaps persist, especially for women, youth and rural populations. Structural barriers such as remoteness, weak infrastructure and limited investment information continue to limit the impact with limited time. To achieve the SDGS action is needed. We call on Member States and stakeholders to reduce remittance costs, expand inclusion, promote productive use of remittances, strengthen data, enable diaspora investment and skill transfer, engage diaspora and development planning and leverage remittances for climate resilience. Finally, let me take this opportunity to invite all partners to support the 2026 International Day of Family Remittances campaign focused on remittances for rural resilience, entrepreneurship and employment and to turn commitments into concrete results. Let us ensure that the 2026 IMRF progress declaration reflects today's reality, recognizing remittances and diaspora investment as a key driver of financial inclusion, rural transformation, climate resilience and sustainable development. Thank you,


Philippines · Co-Chair [3:10:39]:

thank you. Ifad Next we have the African Non State Actors Platform.


African Non State Actors Platform [3:10:45]:

Honorable Chairs, your Excellencies, distinguished delegates, it's an honor to address you today on behalf of the migration stakeholders across Africa and the African Diaspora who remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing the Global Compact for safe, orderly and regular Migration. We recognize the transformative potential of this Compact far region and are working diligently to ensure its objectives are realized for the benefit of all. Our region is actively strengthening consular protection and assistance, striving to guarantee that migrants receive timely and effective support wherever they may be. We encourage Member States throughout the continent to strengthen access to basic service services including healthcare, education, humanitarian assistance and protection services through a roots based approach that prioritizes saving lives regardless of status by promoting to ensure positive narratives that guarantees dignity and safety for people on the move, inclusion and social cohesion, we empower migrants to fully participate in and contribute to our societies. We encourage governments and institutions to intensify efforts efforts in recognizing migrant skills and qualifications. This will enable their successful integration into local labor markets and drive national development. Remittances by the Diaspora continue to be a lifeline for millions of African families. As stated in the 2022 progress declaration, states must continue to protect the remittances as an essential service. Therefore, we echo the call to reduce cost and expand access to financial services, thereby empowering communities and supporting economic security across Africa. The progress made in Africa reflects our dedication to the objectives of the gcm. Yet ongoing collaboration and support from the International community are essential. Together we can ensure that migration remains safe, orderly and regular and build a more humane feature for migrants, their families and the world at large. Thank you.


Philippines · Co-Chair [3:13:17]:

Thank you. African non state actors Platform the necessary to have the floor Ethiopia, France, Brazil, Guatemala, Colombia, Indonesia and Portugal. I yield the floor to Ethiopia. Please.


Ethiopia [3:13:32]:

Thank you Co chairs for the floor and thank you the panelists for your insightful interventions. Distinguished delegates, all protocols observed, Ethiopia made negotiable notable progress across multiple GCM objectives, demonstrating a strong commitment to protecting migrants rights, fostering inclusion and leveraging diaspora resources. Under Objective 14, Ethiopia has enhanced consular protection by consolidating services within the Ministry of Foreign affairs, improving assistance to citizens abroad through strengthened legal frameworks and operational mechanisms. The establishment of migrants response centers and digital systems like the Child Protection Information Management system has improved access to health, legal and psychological services. In line with Objective 15, Ethiopia has improved migrant access to basic services through integrated support centers, targeted reintegration programs and digitalized civil child protection systems. Despite these efforts, resource constraints and logistical challenges hinder the full scale up of integrated services, especially in remote border areas. Objectives 16 and 19 Focus on social cohesion and diaspora engagement. Ethiopia's legal frameworks support community based reintegration, social inclusion and active diaspora participation in national development. Initiatives like the establishment of Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund and large scale diaspora mobilization campaigns in line with the diaspora policy have significantly contributed to socio economic development. Yet sustaining diaspora engagement remains a challenge involving global migration Dynamics. Regarding Objective 19 and 20, Ethiopia has strengths in diaspora engagement and remittance systems fostering economic growth and development. The establishment of the Ethiopian Diaspora Service as an independent government agency, establishment of diaspora investment initiatives and financial instruments has attracted substantial diaspora investments contributing billions of USD annually, annual remittance inflows increasing underpinning household livelihoods and microeconomic stability. Overall, Ethiopia's comprehensive approach underscored its dedication to safe, inclusive and rights based migration. Continued efforts are needed to address resource limitations, expand service reach and deepen diaspora engagement to fully realize our migration governance goal. I thank you.


Philippines · Co-Chair [3:16:12]:

Thank you Ethiopia. Next France please.


France [3:16:16]:

Merci Michel President thank you, Chair France, thank you for convening this roundtable. Allow me to recall the commitment of France to multilateralism, which is why we strongly support the IOM and the Multi Partner Fund for Migration. Since 2023, more than 52 million euros have been allocated by us for these projects to support UN Action for Basic services for migrants throughout the world. We support concrete projects by the ein, especially in Ukraine, Mariupol or in the drc. And we also recall the importance of the role of diaspora the diaspora, in particular women and youth that comprise them play an essential role and their voices must be heard. They enrich societies that host them, they contribute to development in the countries of origin, and they play a key role in promoting paths toward legal mobility as well as combating dis and misinformation. Therefore, since 2002, so for over 20 years, France has taken part in the creation of Forum, which is the forum of the Organization of International Solidarity for Immigration. And this forum brings together more than 700 organizations. Its actions have benefited more than 1 million people throughout the world and its expertise has helped to finance more than 175 agricultural products throughout the world in more than 27 different countries. Today, in 2026, we have here in France an inter ministerial migration development strategy which has helped us to support diaspora organizations and to promote a really partnership based approach which is so important today for addressing the challenges linked to climate, food security and other global challenges. These partnerships at the heart of our next Africa Forward Summit that we will be organizing together with Kenya in Nairobi next week. This partnership based approach is also at the heart of the Euro African dialogue that we are leading. And we have the honor of presiding over the Khartoum process up until a few weeks ago. And we also have promoted dialogue for the inclusion of the diaspora in this framework. This partnership based approach lastly was at the heart of the silent event that we convened together with the International Fund for Agricultural Development this year. This week, as part of our presidency of G7. This was the opportunity to raise awareness about rural development issues as well as financial inclusion, especially of women and youth. This inclusion was crucial for carrying out solidarity based investments. We hope that we'll be able to continue toward these goals in accordance with our priorities with feminist diplomacy. Microphone was cut off for the speaker.


Philippines · Co-Chair [3:19:20]:

Thank you. Thank you, France. Next Brazil, please.


Brazil [3:19:34]:

Not working Hannibal Co Chairs Distinguished delegates Brazil addresses the migration cycle through coordinated policies that combine consular protection, access to basic services, labor market and the promotion of participation cohesion. Regardless of their migration status, everyone has access to public health, social assistance and Social Security services. Rights to which the country attributes universal nature and constitutional status based on the principle of non discrimination. Brazil consular offices provide guidance, protection and support to nationals abroad. Also by establishing connection with local authorities. The Ministry of Health in Brazil implements initiatives aimed at guaranteeing the right to health and free access for migrants to the entire public health system, such as the National Policy on comprehensive health care for migrant, refugee and stateless population that is being discussed within government and civil society organizations. Also, Brazil recognizes the right of migrant refugees, stateless and asylum seeking children and adolescents to enroll in the Brazilian public education system. Moreover, Brazil has also been expanding formal mechanisms for direct participation of migrants, refugee asylum seekers and stateless persons in the process of of public policy creation. In 2024, the second National Conference on Migration, Refugee and Statelessness marked an important milestone by bringing together the voices of more than 14,000 participants whose proposals will subsidize the first national plan on Migration, Refugee and Statelessness. Also, the National Forum of Migrant Leaders is composed of 200 migrant leaders from across the country and is a space for social participation and dialogue with governmental stakeholders. Ultimately, translating commitments into concrete results depends on strong multilateralism and whole of government and whole of society approaches. In this regard, Brazil reaffirms its commitment to the GCM as the guiding framework for advancing in practical rights based solutions that foster inclusion, protects dignity and recognize migrants and diasporas as key actors in sustainable development in full alignment with the objectives of the Compact. I thank you,


Philippines · Co-Chair [3:22:15]:

Thank you Brazil, Guatemala Please.


Guatemala [3:22:23]:

We thank the chairs and the panelists for their presentations and now we would like to highlight some of the progress in our report relating to the priority objectives for this roundtable. On Objective 14, I would highlight capacity building and strengthening the Guatemalan consular network abroad, which has expanded its coverage of consular services by making care, assistance and protection for Guatemalans abroad more flexible. Significant efforts have been made to provide better consular services through human level attention via Guatemala's consulates abroad with more modern and robust facilities. During the reporting period 2022 to 2025, eight new consulates of Guatemala abroad were established, reaching a total of 45 consular facilities globally. In addition to 41 consular sections in Guatemala's embassies abroad and 93 honorary consulates, consular officials have been trained in consular protection that has been prioritized and 12 new passport printing centers have also been established together with new passport certification equipment, achieving a total of 26 printing passport printing centers globally. In addition, 528 mobile consular services were organized primarily in the United States of America and 1,700 consular hearings were carried out to bring consular services closer to the Guatemalan population. On Objective 15, we've strengthened humanitarian response and immediate access to basic services for migrant persons and returnees through the strengthening of reception centers for migrants and returnees with food assistance, psychosocial support, guidance, healthcare services and protection. On Objective 16, Guatemala prioritises educational inclusion as a key mechanism for promoting social cohesion and the exercise of migrants rights. On Objective 19, innovative strategies have been implemented abroad. In addition, inclusive information tools have been launched and in the context of Objective 20, we have launched studies to achieve evidence in informed decision making.


Philippines · Co-Chair [3:25:25]:

Thank you. Guatemala, Colombia, please.


Colombia [3:25:43]:

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Colombia reaffirms its commitment to migration governance rooted in human rights that is person focused and in line with the Global Compact for Migration. Colombia has moved towards an approach of humanization rather than securitization of migration, with a view towards people, individuals, and the integration of our Colombian diaspora in the public policies of our country. We have strengthened consular assistance with a differentiated approach for our fellow nationals abroad, with a focus in particular on persons with disabilities, women, women experiencing gender based violence, in particular to ensure that they have assistance that is closer to the needs that our fellow citizens have on migration governance. We have the National Board for Civil Society in the area of Migration. This is an instrument that was set up two years ago and which is making an interesting contribution to helping to strengthen migration governance in our country and in particular for our returning population and for our fellow citizens, so that it can be the voice of migrants themselves, our fellow citizens and returnees that can have an impact on public policy in our country. We would also like to say that in Colombia we have been able to establish documentation through the regularization of more than 2.4 million people who did not have regular status in Colombia. We are also guaranteeing full access to health and education without distinction in our public system. More than 620,000 children and adolescent migrants are now registered in schools, 5.3% of all school registrations at the national level. In 2025, Colombia carried out more than 2.1 million public health activity interventions for the migrant population. No child is being left out, regardless of their status or their origin, and no one is being turned away from a hospital because of their migration status. Objective 16 reminds us that migrant persons and the diaspora are change makers in Colombia. We understand that this is not a problem, but rather a source of human, financial and cultural capital that we need to make the most of. Thank you very much.

Much.


Speaker 111 [3:28:33]:

Thank you, columbia. Next is penn, please. Oh, sorry. Mayor of fun. Labrador span. Yeah.


Fuenlabrada Municipality · Mayor · Javier Alaba [3:29:28]:

Okay.


Philippines · Co-Chair [3:29:29]:

So he's there. Yes.


Fuenlabrada Municipality · Mayor · Javier Alaba [3:29:33]:

Okay. Okay.


Philippines · Co-Chair [3:29:35]:

We're still good. It's just the mic. Yeah. Okay, go on. Turn red for it to be.


Fuenlabrada Municipality · Mayor · Javier Alaba [3:29:47]:

Ah, okay.


Philippines · Co-Chair [3:29:51]:

Does he want to speak somewhere? Can you use a different mic?


Fuenlabrada Municipality · Mayor · Javier Alaba [3:30:02]:

There we go. Very good afternoon. First of all, thank you very much. My name is Javier Alaba, the mayor of When Labrada, a city of 200,000 people in the community of Madrid. And first of all, I would to like to highlight the role of municipalities as the closest administration to citizens. And in particular, migrants are also citizens of my city. And so I believe that we need to tend to their needs. But we do have two fundamental issues. First of all, we need political commitment. There needs to be political commitment by the remaining the other administrations at a time when there is reactionary disorder, discourse, targeting migration and going against migration, that is essential. And secondly, we need a bigger budget. No one here today knows how to implement policy without a budget and without more budgetary resources that they can allocate to these significant challenges. And so therefore, I think that with political commitment and with a budget, municipalities are the top creators of spaces for original solutions and coexistence. And we've got two examples of that in my city of Fuen Labrada. First of all, we have a coexistence board bringing together more than 50 organizations where associations of neighbours and associations of other sorts can coexist and interact with migrants associations with one clear aim, and that is to learn about one another's culture. Culture is essential in order to avoid a discourse of fear of the unknown. And secondly, we have the the Camus project, financed by the European Union, which aims to. Provide migrant oversight of our policy to tell us whether we have discriminatory bias in our policies. So there are two key co governance and interculturality. And to conclude, I would say one phrase that I think is essential and that is that migration is not a problem, it is an opportunity. Thank you very much.


Philippines · Co-Chair [3:32:21]:

We've heard the last speaker in our interactive discussion discussion. I'd like to thank the keynote speaker, the panelists and all participants for their active engagement. Before concluding, participants are reminded that roundtable four will take place tomorrow morning at 10am in this room. Roundtable three of the international Migration Review for room is now concluded. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you.