GFMD and the UN

The relationship between the GFMD and the United Nations System

The GFMD is open to all States Members and observers of the United Nations, but it does not form part of the United Nations system. As an independent State-led process, the GFMD cooperates with the UN system in a number of ways, which have evolved over time. Below are some examples:

  • Submission of the Reports of the Chair through the UN Secretary-General.
  • Presentation of GFMD written contributions to the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF).
  • Collaborating with the UN Migration Network to allow interested Member States to bring GFMD outcomes in support of the implementation of the Global Compact on Migration (GCM).
  • UN Secretary Generals have attended GFMD Summits.
  • The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on International Migration and Development (SRSG) played a crucial role from 2007 to 2018, offering advice to GFMD Chairs and participating in preparatory activities and Summits.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon speaks at the 7th GFMD Summit GFMD in Stockholm (2014). 
From left: H.E. Ban Ki-moon, H.E. Eva Åkerman Börje, H.E. Peter Sutherland, H.E. Tobias Billström, H.R.H Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, H.E. Fredrik Reinfeldt.


For more information on the relationship of the GFMD with the UN and its agencies, please see:

UN Secretary General António Guterres
Video message of UN Secretary General António Guterres at the 9th GFMD Summit in Dhaka (2016)