Essential Documents
Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration
The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) is the first-ever inter-governmentally negotiated United Nations agreement on a comprehensive approach to managing international migration. It was adopted in 2018 as a non-legally binding , cooperative framework that upholds the sovereignty of States and their obligations under international law.
Global Compact on Refugees
The Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) was adopted in December 2018, and it is a framework for more predictable and equitable responsibility-sharing, recognizing that a sustainable solution to refugee situations cannot be achieved without international cooperation. It provides a blueprint for governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders to: (1) ease the pressures on host countries, (2) enhance refugee self-reliance, (3) expand access to third-country solutions, and (4) support conditions in countries of origin for return in safety and dignity. The main source of review for the GCR is the Global Refugee Forum (GRF).
1951 Refugee Convention
The 1951 Refugee Convention is a landmark United Nations treaty that defines “refugee” and outlines the legal protections, rights, and responsibilities for refugees, as well as the legal obligations of signatory countries to protect them. Its core principle is non-refoulement, which prohibits returning refugees to a country where they face threats to their life or freedom.
Important Fora
International Migration Review Forum
The International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) is the primary intergovernmental platform for the review of the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). It meets every four years, beginning with the first IMRF in 2022, gathering Member States, UN agencies, civil society, and other stakeholders to assess progress, identify challenges, and guide future work on migration. Each iteration of the IMRF results in an inter-governmentally agreed Progress Declaration.
Global Forum on Migration and Development
The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) is the largest and most comprehensive global platform for dialogue and cooperation on international migration and development. Following the 2006 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development the GFMD has opened up a space for informal and voluntary dialogue among countries on current and emerging migration and development issues. Over time, its members have sought to find innovative ways of promoting a practice-related and action-oriented process.
International Dialogue on Migration
The International Dialogue on Migration (IDM) was created in 2001 as an annual global forum hosted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to facilitate policy dialogue on the opportunities and challenges of migration. It brings together a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, civil society, experts, and migrants to exchange experiences, discuss emerging issues, and develop effective practices for migration governance.
United Nations Agencies, Bodies, and Representatives
International Organization for Migration
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was established in 1951 as the leading intergovernmental organization for migration. IOM support migrants across the world, developing responses to the shifting dynamics of migration and is a key source of advice on migration policy and practice. The organization works in emergency situations, developing the resilience of people on the move, and particularly those in situations of vulnerability, as well as building capacity within governments to manage all forms and impact of human mobility.
United Nations High-Commissioner for Refugees
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a UN agency, established in 1950, dedicated to protecting refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people by providing aid, advocating for their rights, and helping them rebuild their lives.
United Nations Network on Migration
The United Nations Network for Migration (UNNM) is a UN body that was established to support the implementation, follow-up, and review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). Its primary goals are to enhance cooperation on migration, provide support to Member States in meeting the objectives of the GCM, and uphold the human rights of migrants.
Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants
The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants is an independent expert, appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), to monitor, advise, and report on the human rights of migrants worldwide.