Created in 2007, the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) is a state-led, informal and non-binding process, which helps shape the global debate on migration and development. It provides a flexible, multi-stakeholder space where governments can discuss the multi-dimensional aspects, opportunities and challenges related to migration, development, and the link between these two areas. The GFMD process allows governments - in partnership with civil society, the private sector, local and regional governments, youth, the UN system and other relevant stakeholders – to discuss sensitive issues, share policies and practices and explore innovative solutions.

Colombia, as GFMD Chair announced the thematic priorities of the Forum for 2024-2025 during a launch event held in Geneva on 3 September 2024.  The overarching theme of the programme will be "Regular Migration, Labour Mobility, and Human Rights: Pillars of Development and Well-Being of Societies".
 

The GFMD 2024-2025 program will center around the theme "Regular Migration, Labour Mobility, and Human Rights: Pillars of Development and Well-Being of Societies," woven through six key thematic priorities:

• Roundtable 1 - Strength in Movement: The Impact of Women on Global Migration and Development
• Roundtable 2 – Children and Youth on the Move: Innovators for Tomorrow’s Development
• Roundtable 3 - The Interplay of Media and Culture to Construct and Deconstruct the Reality of Migration
• Roundtable 4 - Climate Change: Safe Labour Routes as a Bridge to Prosperity 
• Roundtable 5 - Regional Cooperation and Integration to Promote Safe and Regular Migration for Development
• Roundtable 6 - New Technologies and Digitalization: Improving Migration Management and Regular Migration Pathways

What do individuals across the world think about immigration, why do they think what they do, and what communication is likely to affect what they think? 

The Global Outlook on Public Attitudes to Immigration provides data on public attitudes to immigration in different regions of the world and an overview of the rapidly developing scientific literature on attitudes to immigration. It also provides examples of communication that works and guidance on what types of communication are likely to be effective.

During an informal ceremony held at the Permanent Mission of France on 27 March, H.E. Mr. Jérôme Bonnafont, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations in Geneva officially handed over the GFMD Chair to H.E. Mr Gustavo Adolfo Gallón Giraldo, Permanent Representative of Colombia.

The GFMD 2030 Agenda Rapporteur Team has produced a synthesis report aiming to inform the GFMD Working Group on International Migration and Sustainable Development’s contribution to the HLPF and to globally rescuing the SDGs. For that, the synthesis report focuses on the priorities identified for the 2024 HLPF, particularly the progress towards SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 13 (Climate Action), 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and the underlying SDG principles.