About GFMD

Since its inception in 2007, the GFMD has helped shape the global debate on migration and development, by offering a space where governments can discuss the multi-dimensional aspects, opportunities and challenges related to migration and its inter-linkages with development. Through the years, the GFMD has also evolved into a process that allows governments to openly analyze and discuss sensitive and sometimes controversial issues, to listen to different positions and explore synergies and joint solutions through partnerships. In the process, it has contributed to deepening the understanding of the complex relationship between migration and development, and infused the global debate on this critical issue with more clarity, objectivity and coherence.

 
Our Partners

The GFMD is the singular and biggest informal but state-led global process on migration and development outside the UN framework. It maintains its strong links with the United Nations, nonetheless, through the strategic guidance of the UN SRSG for International Migration and the support of the Global Migration Group. To promote an inclusive and constructive dialogue and collaborative action, the GFMD engages with governments and other relevant stakeholders, including international organizations, the civil society and the private sector. Partnership and cooperation is a principal modality of the process.

 
Our Impact

As a state-led, informal and non-binding process, the Forum has generated significant results in terms of policy development and action at the national, regional and international levels. Its accumulated knowledge and practice and policy-oriented outcomes now serve as key reference points for both government policy-makers and other relevant stakeholders in migration and development field. In recent years, the GFMD has contributed to the global efforts to advance the migration-related commitments in the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and to support the implementation, follow up and review of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM).

 
GFMD 2017-2018 Co-Chairmanship
GFMD 2017-2018 Co-Chairmanship
"Honouring International Commitments to Unlock the Potential of All Migrants for Development”

Germany and Morocco have assumed the co-chairmanship of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) from 1 January 2017 until 31 December 2018.

During this two-year period, the focus is on the contribution of the GFMD to the United Nations’ Global Compact for Migration. The Compact is intended to constitute a strong signal of the international community for an enhanced global migration policy, to be adopted by the community of states on 10-11 December 2018 in Marrakesh, Morocco.

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Download the First Year Report
of the 2017-2018 GFMD Co-Chairs

Civil Society

GFMD Civil Society Days

GFMD Civil Society's 10 Acts for the Global Compact
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FR
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Statement by Ms. Wies Maas, Chair of Tenth GFMD Civil Society Days

10th GFMD Summit Berlin
Registration

28-30 June, Berlin—The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) held the Tenth Summit Meeting at the German Federal Foreign Office under the 2017-2018 Co-Chairmanship of Germany and Morocco. Under the overarching theme: "Towards a Global Social Contract on Migration and Development,” the summit gathered around 650 participants, comprised of policymakers and practitioners from 140 states, as well as international organizations, the civil society and the private sector.

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Summit Digest
Day 1
Summit Digest
Day 2
Summit Digest
Day 3
Conference
Documents
Summit
Photos
Summit
Videos
 
Business Mechanism

GFMD Business Mechanism

UN

GFMD and the United Nations

Ms. Louise Arbour

GFMD and the SRSG

Ms. Louise Arbour

Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for International Migration

 
 
GFMD and the Global Compact
for Migration (GCM)

 

Report on GFMD Dialogue (Apr 6)
Report on GFMD Dialogue (Feb 2)
Report on GCM Workshop (Sep 6)

  • As a member of Troika of the GFMD, Bangladesh will play its part in ensuring that the GFMD is used as a platform for pushing the boundaries of what is possible and generating consensus around ambitious outcomes for the GCM.

    Ambassador Ahsan, GFMD 2016 Chair
    02/02/2017

  • It has been a meeting that has allowed us to listen as Co-Chairs of GFMD, this new role that we have, to prepare the contribution of GFMD to GCM.

    El Habib Nadir, Co-Chair Morocco
    02/02/2017

  • The ad hoc Working Group on SDGs and GCM maintain an open dialogue with other member states in order to formulate GFMD recommendations and ensure an inclusive and transparent process.

    Brazil
    02/02/2017

  • Thanks to the trust built by the GFMD, we now have a UN compact.

    Sweden
    02/02/2017

  • We hope that participating members will seize this opportunity, notably here in Geneva, to translate GFMD outcomes into global compact commitments, as you did for the 2013 HLD and the New York Declarations.

    Francois Fouinat, Senior Advisor to the UN SRSG Peter Sutherland
    02/02/2017

  • GFMD could synthesize its wealth of knowledge in a coherent way for submission to the stock-taking exercise in order to substantiate discussions. This work could be led by the ad hoc WG on 2030 Agenda and GCM.

    Pietro Mona, Co-facilitator Switzerland
    02/02/2017
 
GFMD and the 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development
 
GFMD Reflection on Migration-related SDGs in the Agenda 2030
 
GFMD Side Event at HLPF 2017
GFMD Input to the HLPF 2017
 
GFMD & Regional Consultative Processes

GFMD & RCPs

GFMD & GCM

GFMD Contribution to the GCM:
Thematic Recollection 2007-2017

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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GFMD Thematic Workshops
 
GFMD Dialogues on GCM
1st Dialogue
2nd Dialogue
 

#ForMigration

GMG
 

HLPF Banner

GFMD Side Event at 2018 HLPF
13 July 2018, New York

Brief and Programme
Executive Summary
GFMD Recommendations to 2018 HLPF

Other Thematic Meetings:

Platform For Partnerships (PFP)

Platform For Partnerships (PFP)

The PfP features government policies and programs (M&D Practices) that have been inspired by GFMD discussions and recommendations.

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Evidence Base

1,038
M&D Policies and Practices
showcased by 182 governments
4
M&D Policy Tools
204
Migration Profiles
8
Calls for Action
M & D Quips and Clips

M&D Quips and Clips

 

  • Considerations towards a global compact on migration

    "We should understand the New York Declaration within the framework of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) that took place in Bangladesh this past December.The language used to introduce this summit demonstrated the current  relevance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN’s Agenda 2030, and the need to apply them in a transformative way in the field of migration."

    Ambassador Arturo Cabrera Hidalgo, Ecuador, UN Special
    03/07/2017

  • The role of the GFMD as a think tank and discussion ground should be maintained in future deliberations in Global Compact on Migration.

    Russian Federation
    02/02/2017

  • GFMD Dialogue on the Global Compact for safe, orderly and regular migration

    “The GFMD could generate a space for thematic dialogues that could contribute to furthering debate, reaching a common understanding and sharing best practices.”

    Pietro Mona, Switzerland
    02/10/2017

  • Developed countries have duties to migrants and refugees

    http://www.mt5.com/
    02/07/2017

  • Russian MIA representative took part in UN Global Forum on Migration and Development

    "The participants in the roundtable shared unique experience and spoke about the possibility how to recruit migrant workers while lowering costs of their stay in territories of the states."

    NewsKitchen Publisher
    12/14/2016

  • Qatar participates in migration forum

    "The forum discussed the cooperation for safe and legal migration in addition to supporting procedures for fair overseas employment and insuring decent work environment."

    The Peninsula Qatar
    12/13/2016

  • OIC participates in Dhaka Global Forum on Migration and Development

    "This annual forum of discussion on the link between migration and development is an open space of exchange on migration’s positive dynamics and challenges over the years and its influence on our societies."

    IINA
    12/11/2016

  • Global Community urged to address migrant issue

    "The business-government-civil society dialogue was one of the important events of the meeting."

    Gulf Times
    12/10/2016

  • Germany and Morocco prepare to assume co chairmanship of the Global Forum on Migration and Development for 2017 and 2018

    "The motto of the GFMD will be "Towards a Global Social Contract on Migration and Development". In particular, the balance of interests between migrants and their countries of origin, transit states and destinations will be addressed within the framework of regular and orderly migration.

    EIN News
    12/15/2016

  • ‘GFMD ends in Dhaka, Germany and Morocco co-chairs next year’

    "The Compact is intended to herald a strong signal from the international community for an enhanced global migration policy to be adopted by the community of states in 2018."

    bdnews24.com
    12/12/2016

  • Global Governance of Migration

    "Migration worldwide needs to be regulated not only for the sake of equal and fair treatment of immigrants but also to serve humankind effectively."

    The Independent
    12/15/2016

  • Migration needs to be ‘governed globally’

    "It (migration) cannot be politicised and securitised. It has to be dealt as a geopolitical issue."

    The Independent
    12/13/2016

  • Bangladesh leads on migration discussions

    "Participants came together to better understand the root causes of migration, share best practices, forge partnerships, and discuss ways to solve thorny problems."

    Anne C. Richard, US Assistant Secretary of State for Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration
    12/12/2016

  • 130 Nations agree on safe migration

    "Delegates also stressed the need for opening legal channels for migration for all categories of people -- skilled or low-skilled -- and effective border management to combat people smuggling or human trafficking."

    The Daily Star
    12/13/2016

  • ‘GFMD summit ends with agreement on governance of migration’

    "Bangladesh pressed home the idea of designing a global compact on migration that would ensure the rights of emigrants. Most of the countries present were in favor of an international law on the issue while some countries wanting a convention on it."

    Dhaka Tribune
    12/13/2016

  • What does the Global Forum on Migration and Development do?

    "This forum was thus only one step in long reflection that should lead to a common and consultative global migration policy. Like trade or climate change, migration is transnational…A multi-nation forum may or may not be the best frame or solution. But it is a sufficient and necessary step for making progress on the issues. The Global Forum must be seen as more than an obscure meeting,"

    Antoine Pécoud, Université Paris 13 - USPC
    12/13/2016

  • Global Forum on Migration and Development wraps up in Bangladesh

    "The Dhaka meeting brought together policy makers, UN agencies and civil society to discuss cooperation in global, social and labour market governance and issues such as gender, ethical recruitment, reducing migration costs, diversity and protection of migrants."

    IOM
    12/13/2016

The Global Compact on Migration and GFMD

Amb. Eduard Gnesa, Switzerland
Interview of Kathleen Newland, Senior Fellow and Co-Founder of the Migration Policy Institute
Dr. Kathleen Newland, MPI