The Forum does not form part of the United Nations system, but it is open to all States Members and Observers of the United Nations. The annual GFMD outcomes and reports of proceeding are conveyed by the respective Chairs-in-Office to the UN Secretary-General.
The GFMD maintains strong links with the UN through the Special Representative of the Secretary General on International Migration and Development and the inter-agency Global Migration Group (GMG), comprised of 15 UN agencies dealing with migration and development issues as well as IOM.