Dear Members and Partners,

Join the UN Global Compact for Migration (UNGCM)

We would like to draw your attention to the upcoming preparatory process for the United Nations Global Compact for migration, which will comprise a series of sessions organised by the President of the UN General Assembly (PGA) to be held between May 2017 and June 2018 (themes and dates to be finalised).

The IOE gives the private sector the opportunity to engage in the UN’s preparatory process. Companies/employers' federations are invited to apply to participate by following this link.  Deadline: Sunday, 9 April 2017

Why this is important for business

The UN’s New York Declaration committed governments to negotiate a global migration compact and identifies well-managed migration and expanded legal pathways as areas that could be addressed by the compact. It also highlights the promotion of labour mobility, the recognition of foreign qualifications, education and skills as other areas the UNGCM could cover. Notably, the UN plans to hold consultations around these topics, as outlined in the final draft of the modalities resolution for the compact. UN Members States have reiterated the need for the effective participation of all stakeholders, including private sector stakeholders, in the dialogue preceding the drafting of the compact. We should seize this opportunity.

The GFMD Business Mechanism and the UNGCM

The IOE coordinates the business input to the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), a long-standing government-led process to address migration and development interconnections. The Business Mechanism is a network of companies and employers' organisations from all sectors of the global economy and all regions of the world. It serves as a channel to bring the private sector’s input to the GFMD and to other relevant initiatives on migration, including the Global Compact for migration. A GFMD Business Mechanism Meeting is organised on 3-4 April 2017 in Geneva to define business contributions to the GCM. The agenda and concept paper for the meeting can be accessed from the side panel. A few seats are still available. We stand ready to answer any questions you may have related to this complex process.

Yours sincerely,

Stéphanie Winet

GFMD Business Mechanism Liaison Adviser