28 June 2023 Thematic Workshops on Climate and Human Mobility
27 June 2023 Thematic Workshops on Culture, Narratives and Human Mobility
Thematic Workshop on Climate Change and Labour Migration, 29 March 2023
GFMD Thematic Workshop on the Impact of Climate Change on Labour Migration
Thematic Workshop on the Impact of Climate Change on Labour Migration
A thematic workshop on the “Impact of Climate Change on Labour Migration” convened at the ILO headquarters in Geneva and online on March 29, 2023, aimed at providing insights into the upcoming 14th GFMD Summit scheduled for January 23-25, 2024, in Geneva. The workshop gathered over 180 participants, representing more than 45 Member States, alongside civil society, the private sector, local authorities, youth, academics, and international organizations.
The event featured two insightful panel discussions followed by active interactions from both in-person and online participants. The first panel delved into the potential of labour migration to enhance the adaptive capacities and resilience of migrants, countries, and communities. Discussions emphasized the imperative of addressing root causes and inequalities to transform migration into a choice rather than a necessity. Key proposals included aligning labour migration policies with broader adaptation and just transition agendas, ensuring minimum protection standards in line with international labour norms, and establishing permanent legal pathways for socio-economic integration and family reunification.
Conversely, the second panel spotlighted the necessity of acquiring new skills to facilitate a successful transition to low-carbon economies. Labour migration emerged as a pivotal vehicle for nurturing green skills and mitigating labour shortages, provided it is effectively managed. Suggestions included investing in youth empowerment and diaspora engagement to mitigate brain drain and promoting long-term settlement and socio-economic integration perspectives to advance sustainable development goals. Additionally, the panel underscored the importance of targeted, rights-based labour mobility programs and the alignment of national policies with adaptation and just transition plans, advocating for a gender-sensitive approach.
Undoubtedly, based on the suggestions and insights that emerged from this workshop, the 14th GFMD Summit in January 2024 will be a further opportunity to bring together multiple stakeholders to examine and discuss the question.
You can watch the workshop recording on the GFMD YouTube channel: GFMD France - Thematic workshop on labour migration and climate change (29 March 2023) - YouTube
The Summary note and other related documents are available in the 2022-2023 Chair’s Key Documents.
14th GFMD Summit
"From environmental concerns to cultural aspects of migration: adopting an inclusive approach to meet the challenges and increases the opportunities for human mobility"
23-25 January 2024
Centre International de Conférence Genève – CICG
France, acting as the 2022-2023 Chair of the Global Forum on Migration and Development is set to host the 14th Summit of the GFMD in Geneva from 23 to 25 January 2024. This high-level event, marking the conclusion of the French Chairmanship of the GFMD, will be hosted at the Geneva International Conference Centre.
The Summit will revolve around the central theme of this chairmanship is "The impact of climate change on human mobility" articulated with a cross-cutting approach through the other thematic priorities.
- The impact of climate change on human mobility
- Rights and migration
- Diasporas
- Labour migration
- Culture, narratives and migration
- Multi-level governance of migration
The programme and agendas of the Summit, including roundtable discussions, thematic and networking sessions, side events, as well as exhibitions, tech garden and marketplace of ideas are available on this link.
Registration for the 14th GFMD Summit will be coursed through the GFMD Secretariat (GFMD@iom.int). To ensure smooth logistics, all delegations are requested to complete online registration until 15 December 2023. After this date, late registrations for the 14th GFMD Summit are subject to validation by the Chair.
The French GFMD Chair is eager to extend a warm welcome to the delegation representing your government or organization at the 14th GFMD Summit.
Photos and videos taken during the event may be published on the GFMD website and social media. By attending, you agree with the above conditions.