International Migration Review Forum 2026 - 2nd Plenary meeting, General debate (continued)

The forum will continue with its consideration of agenda item four entitled General debate.
May I once again remind participants of the time limit of 3 minutes for individual delegations and 5 minutes for statements on behalf of a group of states.
Longer versions of statements can be made available under each statements of the United Nations Journal.
To assist delegations in managing their time, a timer will be projected on the screens.
Time limits will be strictly enforced, including through the use of an automatic microphone cut off when the allotted time has expired.
I thank you all very much for your cooperation.
We are now going back to our list.
The next speaker will be His Excellency Bsford La Malari, Minister of Internal Affairs of Albania.
Excellency.
Distinguished delegates of states and governments.
It is a great opportunity to address this forum on behalf of the Republic of Albania at this crucial moment for migration governance globally.
Albania is a country of origin, transit, and increasingly a destination for migrants.
With a significant share of our citizens living abroad, it continues to shape our society, economy, and the direction of our development path fully aligned with our national priorities and the European integration process.
Since the adoption of the Global Compact for migration, Albania has remained firmly committed to its implementation, guided by a whole of government approach and a whole of society approach.
We have worked closely with the International Organization for Migration, the UN Network on migration, national and international partners in advancing our national efforts and preparing our voluntary report for 2023, 2025.
Allow me to highlight three areas of progress.
First, Albania has strengthened evidence based policymaking by enhancing its migration data systems.
Our national strategy on migration 2024, 20 aligns national measures with all 23 objectives of the GCM.
The strategic document has strengthened the interinstitutional migration management mechanism and serves as safeguard for the protection of the rights of migrants and refugees, including the integration into Albanian society.
At the same time, we recognize the need to further strengthen monitoring capacities and data systems at the local level.
Second, we have advanced regular migration and labor mobility through regional cooperation in the Western Balkans, as well as through expanded bilateral partnerships.
These efforts aim to create safe and accessible opportunities for migrant workers while responding to evolving labor market needs, including fostering stronger links with our diaspora communities.
Third, Albania has strengthened its capacity to manage migration in a humane and orderly manner.
We have improved interinstitutional coordination, enhanced contingency planning, and reinforced protection sensitive border management.
At the same time, we are advancing return and reintegration efforts with greater emphasis on counseling, tailored support, and sustainable reintegration at the local level, while strengthening engagement with the diaspora.
All.
Excellencies, Albania remains firmly committed to further strengthen migration governance in line with international standards and shared responsibilities.
We'll continue to invest in data driven policymaking, expansive and regular pathways, and enhanced protection mechanisms for all migrants.
We also stand ready to deepen regional and international cooperation.
With that, I thank you.
I thank the Minister of Albania and now have the honor to call the sorry, His Excellency, Ahmed Ghazarian, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Armenia.
Madam President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Armenia reaffirms its strong commitment to the global compact on migration, which has become an essential tool for our policy making.
Migration remains a defining issue for Armenia's development agenda.
We have long experienced significant immigration, while in recent years, we have also witnessed growing trends of immigration and transit.
Our approach is therefore built around three interconnected priorities, strengthening resilient institutions, improving citizen centric services, and accelerating digital transformation to support both.
First, strengthening resilient institutions has been crucial to our reforms.
Major institutional milestone was the establishment of the Unified Migration and Citizenship Service under the Ministry of Interior.
There's reform consolidated migration, asylum, citizenship, and population services under single authority, improving coordination, accountability, and evidence based policy making.
We have also advanced comprehensive legal reforms by updating legislation on foreigners, refugees and asylum, citizenship, and anti trafficking.
All reforms are backed by legal improvements and digital solutions.
These reforms strengthen alignment with international and European standards and are reinforced by Armenia's dialogue with the EU on visa liberalization.
The large number of refugee displacement in 2023 further tested the resilience of our institutions.
We responded by granting temporary protection to more than 115,000 displaced persons and ensuring their access to equal rights.
This response demonstrated the importance of strong institutions capable of acting rapidly and responsibly in times of crisis.
Secondly, we are focused on improving citizen centric services.
Migration governance is ultimately about serving people.
We continue to promote regular pathways and fair labor mobility by simplifying access to visa applications and strengthening labor protections.
Third, digital transformation has become a key enabler for both institutional resilience and improved services.
Armenia has expanded its digital systems, improved population registry, introduced electronic procedures for citizenship applications, and launched reforms for digital work and residence permits.
These measures reduce administrative burden, improve transparency, and make services faster and accessible for citizens and migrants.
At the end, let me reaffirm Armenia's commitment to GCM.
I thank the Deputy Minister of Armenia.
I now give the floor to His Excellency, Ali Omar, State Minister of Somalia.
Madam President, Excellency, distinguished delegates, I thank the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General, and the Director General of the IOM.
Somalia comes to this discussion with a perspective of a country that has experienced migration in all its dimensions as a country of origin, as a country of transit, displacement, diaspora, and also return.
For more than three decades, migration has been part of the Somali' national history.
Since the collapse of the Somali state in 1991, many Somalis have left their homes because of conflict, insecurity, drought, poverty, and limited economic opportunity.
Many cross the Horn of Africa, The Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, the Sahara, the Mediterranean in search of safety, dignity, education, work, and hope.
Too many have lost lives along these routes.
Too many were exposed to a trafficking, smuggling, detention, exploitation, and family separation.
Their experience reminds us that migration is not only a matter of border management, it's a matter of protection, development, stability, and human dignity.
At the same time, Somalia continues to face a major internal displacement pressure driven by climate shocks, food insecurity, and recurrent droughts.
These pressures affect our cities, our local communities, our public.
They also shape how we approach retaines and integration.
Somali welcomes its citizens home always without a condition, but we must be clear the manner in which they retain matters.
Retaines must be voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable.
Must be based on an individual assessment, a humane treatment, a proper documentation, and respect of international obligations.
Retaines must not end at the airport gate.
Migrants who return without a livelihood support, housing, psychological assistance, access to service, and community acceptance may simply move from international migration into a internal displacement.
The outcome does not serve the migrant, the receiving community, the country of origin, or the country of destination.
For this reason, Somali calls for retain an integration framework that protect the dignity of migrant I thank the State Minister of Somalia and now give the floor to His Excellency, Felix Ricardo America António De Ngri Bosa, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Peru.
Thank you, Madam President.
Peru welcomes the holding of this forum, which calls us to assess the implementation of the Global Compact for migration and to renew our commitment to a safe, orderly and regular migration.
In an international context marked by increasing challenges, this space reaffirms the value of dialogue, multilaterlism, and cooperation as pillars of a migration governance and increasingly effective migration governance.
Along these lines, we welcome and look forward to the adoption of the Declaration on progress as a key outcome of this forum.
For Peru, migration should be addressed through a balanced approach, coordinating the shared responsibility between states respect for human rights and the exercise of national sovereignty.
We take part in this forum with complex migration as a country of origin, transit, destination, and return.
Through this experience, we can reaffirm that migration is not an isolated or circumstantial phenomenon, rather it is a reality that demands comprehensive responses and it needs to be managed with strengthened state resources.
We highlight here the intersectorial roundtable for migration, which since 2011 has been the main space for articulating migration policy in our country.
Through this, we promote the design of the national strategy for the migrant and refugee population.
This is geared towards providing services, promoting the integration and protecting persons in situations of vulnerability.
The recent presentation of the Voluntary Country Report on the implementation of the E Compact carried out through a pan governmental all of government inclusive process reaffirms Peru's commitment to inclusive dialogue based migration policy.
We recognize the efforts made by states to build their capacities in addressing mixed migratory flows, irregular migration, and organized crime.
However, these efforts should not translate into stigmatizing migrants or narratives that limit evidence based public policies.
We reaffirm our commitment to implementing the compact and we will continue to contribute through multilateralism and international cooperation to strengthen a balanced, responsible, sustainable migration governance.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much, Vice Minister.
I now give the floor to His Excellency, Mirnbk by Gn Chokov, Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Welfare and Migration of Kyrgyzstan.
Thank you, Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues, the Kyrgyz Republic reaffirms its commitment to the global compact.
First of all, let me express my gratitude for the opportunity to speak here at this International Migration Forum at the United Nations.
The Kyrgyz Republic attach priority importance to the development of international cooperation in the field of migration.
We think that this platform plays a key role in strengthening global partnerships and developing migration management.
The Kyrgyz Republic has presented its national voluntary Review on the implementation of the Global Compact.
This review was prepared through a broad and inclusive process.
It involved government bodies, civil society, international organizations, experts, and UN migration Network.
The Kyrgyz Republic notes real progress in a key areas of the global compact.
Our country has a comprehensive support system, which covers pre departure, training, employment, support abroad, and return.
It includes hotlines, online consultations, educational programs, and pre migration and reintegration centers.
We pay special attention to the economic potential of migration.
The country is implementing the Mechanism one plus one program.
It supports migrants who invest in small and medium sized business.
Furthermore, the Kyrgyz Republic ensures the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of foreign nationals within its own territory, including equal access to justice and social services.
We remain convinced that effective migration management is only possible through the strengthening of international cooperation and the fulfillment of joint commitment.
The Kyrgyz Republic reaffirms its SDFAS commitment to the principles of the Global Compact for safe, orderly and regular migration.
Thank you for your attention.
I thank the Deputy Minister of Kyrgyzstan.
I now give the floor to His Excellency, Saul Pakuuu, Vice Minister of Human Mobility of Ecuador.
Thank you, Madam President, distinguished colleagues.
Good afternoon.
Ecuador is a country of origin, transit, destination, and return for migrants.
This reality has made a profound mark on our public policy and has allowed us to take on migration not only as a challenge, but also an opportunity for development, social cohesion, and regional integration.
Over the last four years, Ecuador has made specific headway in implementing the Global Compact.
I highlight the extraordinary regularization processes that granted legal status to more than 104,000 migrants, mainly Venezuelans guaranteeing their access to rights and services.
We've also boosted our normative and institutional framework through the adoption of the National implementation plan for the Compact 2025 2029.
This guides our migration policy with a human rights and sustainable based a sustainable development approach.
In terms of regular migration and decent work, Ecuador has promoted circular migration agreements with European, American, Middle Eastern countries and coastries in Oceania, promoting temporary, ethical and protected labor mobility.
We have also worked on protecting persons, on the move, combating human trafficking, migrant smuggling through specific action plans and our participation in regional mechanisms such as the to process.
Nonetheless, we are well aware of the persistent challenges, transnational organized crime, the pressure on local capacities, the effects of climate change, discrimination, and xenophobia that affect social cohesion and the lives of the most vulnerable.
These challenges cannot be addressed in isolation.
For this reason, we reiterate that international cooperation, the shared responsibility approach and reciprocity among states are crucial preconditions for effective migration governance.
Ecuador deeply values the support of international organizations, bilateral cooperation, and the role of civil society and academia.
These are all strategic partners in each and every areas of every area where we've made progress.
As we look ahead 2030, we reaffirm our national and global commitments as a leader in the Global Compact, expanding pathways for regular migration, strengthening data management and evidence based policies, consolidating interinstitutional and territorial coordination and continuing to promote the implementation of the compact.
Ecuador firmly believes that a safe orderly and regular migration strengthened societies, it protects lives, and it gives rise to development.
Today, we renew our commitment for leadership, dialogue and cooperation so that human mobility is a driver of development for the world.
Thank you.
Muchas Gracias.
Thank you very much, Mr.
Deputy Minister.
I would like to present our most sincere apologies to His Excellency, Mederbek Aliyev, first Vice Chairman of the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan, because the name was announced wrongfully.
Unfortunately, it was on our list.
So our sincere apologies for that mistake.
I now would like to give the floor to His Excellency Giorgi Chvodz, Deputy Minister of Justice of Georgia.
Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the President of the General Assembly and the UN Network on Migration for organizing the second International Migration Review Forum.
Migration trends have changed significantly in these.
This requires coordinated whole of government strategies, and such procedures should address both the opportunities and the challenges on migration.
The Global Compact for safe, orderly, and regular migration is an important milestone.
It strengthens international cooperation.
Its voluntary nature allows member states to adapt it to national context while supporting shared global goals.
Georgia has supported the compact from the beginning.
In line with this, we adopt the migration strategy for 2021 to 2013.
It is based on the concept of migration and development.
It aims to reduce negative impact and increase the benefits of migration for sustainable development.
Having this opportunity, allow me to highlight a few key developments.
Georgia has strengthened its label migration system.
We introduced work permits and developed circular migration frameworks.
These steps improved transparency and access to the labor market.
We have also reinforced efforts against irregular migration.
These include stronger international cooperation, effective readmission, and modern border management.
Legal and policy frameworks in areas such as preventing trafficking, document security, and personal data protection have also been strengthened in line with international standards.
We are improving policies across the migration cycle.
These includes expanding reintegration programs and strengthening engagement with the diaspora.
We continue to reform the asylum system in line with the international standards.
We ensure access to protection.
Integration also remains a priority with extending support services.
Dear colleagues, technological innovation is becoming increasingly important.
Georgia is advancing digital migration management.
This includes digital services, modern border technologies, and secure identity systems.
At the international level, Georgia remains committed to multilateral cooperation to support global migration initiatives.
Thank you.
I thank the Deputy Minister.
I now give the floor to His Excellency Astrid Iseni, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of North Macedonia.
Your Excellency, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, it is a privilege to speak on behalf of the Ministry of Interior, Republic of North Macedonia, at the Second International Migration Review Forum.
North Macedonia has been tested by migration pressures in recent years, and that experience has shaped a clear conviction that migration must be managed with both firmness and humanity with respect for rights and with strong international cooperation.
That reality forced us to act quickly to adapt our institutions and to invest in systems that protect people while preserving public order.
International partnership has been central to our progress.
The joint operation with Frontex launched in April 2023, and our cooperation with the European Union Agency for Asylum and han Surrey have helped us to rise standards, exchange expertise, and implement practical tools, multilingual information, materials, legal guidance, and unite standard operating procedures that make a real difference on the ground.
These partnerships do not replace national responsibility, they amplify it, enabling faster information exchange and more effective response to cross border criminal networks that exploit people.
We responded by strengthening our legal and operational framework.
We have strengthened our border management capacities, aligned our legislation with European standards, and introduced advanced biometric registration systems.
We modernized registration and biometric procedures in our reception center, improved data systems, and equipped our Borden and asylum service to process claims fairly and efficiently.
Importantly, these majeure were accompanied by continuous training for frontline officers on identifying and protecting vulnerable persons including unaccopanied children.
Our asylum system is founded on injured adults rights based procedures.
Every application receive a comprehensive assessment with interpretation and access to legal aid where needed.
Detention is used only as a last resort.
After careful case by case consideration in full compliance with international standards, we have also prioritize the protection of the most vulnerable through new SOPS and joint trainings that ensure consistent human treatment across institutions.
I thank the Deputy Minister.
I now give the floor to His Excellency Domingu Vieira Labs, Secretary of State for International Cooperation and Angolan communities from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Angola.
Excellencies, Distinguished delegates.
Today, we welcome the convening of this important forum, climate and geopolitical factors.
Even more and more interconnected.
As a country of origin, transit of destination, Angola views, human mobility as a strategic issue that requires a balanced approach between national sovereignty, international responsibility, and solidarity among states.
In this context, we welcome the focus of a 360 degree root based approach, which is essential to translate the global compact of immigration in concrete and effective action with active and concrete actions, excellencies, allow me to highlight three priorities for AGA.
One, addressing the structural causes of migration through sustainable development, job creation, climate resilience, and promotion of peace.
Expanding regular and safe migration pathways, including labor mobility, skill partnerships, and family reunification.
Strengthening the protection of migrants along migration routes by combating trafficking and exploitation while ensuring access to basic service through a human right based approach.
Excellencies, Angola has been strengthening its commitments through the reinforcement of its legal and institutional framework.
The modernization of migration management, and the enhancement of the border security.
We also wish to highlight the launch in 2025 and in partnership with the EOM, the Migration governance Indicators Project, aim at supporting the more effective and data driven public policies.
For Angola, migration is intrinsically linked to national development priorities in line with the National Development Plan, the 2030 agenda, and the Agenda 2063.
The Republic of Angola, faithful to its vocation as a bridge between nations, we will continue to work with all member states to ensure that the Global compact becomes a true instrument for peace, development, and promotion of human dignity.
I thank you.
I thank you, Deputy Minister.
I now give the floor to His Excellency, Hector Francisco Juana Gutierrez.
Sorry, Vice Minister of Consular and Institutional Management of the pluri National State of Bolivia.
Good afternoon, Your Excellency's, Distinguished delegates and representatives.
It was a true honor for the Plur National State of Bolivia to participate at the Second Immigration Migration Review Forum.
Bolbya comes before the international community not only with figures, but also with a firm commitment to implementing the Global Compact for migration.
Our country understands human mobility not as a problem to resolve, but rather a reality to manage with dignity, respect, and in compliance with the human rights of migrants.
Today, our commitment is leading to specific commitments aligned with the objectives under the Global Compact, prioritizing the dignity of our citizens overseas and for those who have chosen Bolivia as their home.
Our active participation within the UN Network for migration is testimony to the fact that Bolivia believes in and promotes multilaterlism, cooperation and strategic alliances, political will of governments should be true and effective to implement policies that protect the human rights of migrants.
External support, such as, for instance, from the IOM, is fundamental to allow us to develop plans with a human rights based approach.
Looking towards the 2026 Progress Declaration, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable, promoting a universal citizenship that values the migrant as an active agent of development.
Let us continue to work so that the transit of every person is a path of rights rather than of dangers and restrictions of those rights.
Thank you.
Muchas Gracias.
Thank you very much, Mr.
Deputy Minister.
I now give the floor to His Excellency, Miguel Angel Aranda De Roi, Vice Minister of Administration and Technical Affairs of Paraguay.
Excellency's Distinguished delegates, Paraguay welcomes the holding of the Second Review Forum for International migration, and we reaffirm our commitment to the Global Compact for safe, orderly, and regular migration.
This is a framework for cooperation based on shared responsibility, respect for the sovereignty of states, and for the human rights of migrants.
Since the last forum, Paraguay has made firm steps forward in improving our migration governance, aligning it with international standards, and underpinning it with the principles of non discrimination, equality, due process, and migratory regularization.
In the same vein, we've strengthened our registration and migration control systems, including technology that improve the traceability of migrant flows for evidence based decision making.
We have made progress digitalizing our processes and in providing clear timely data, ensuring predictable, accessible processes.
We've also consolidated a program for addressing human trafficking together with other early warning and differentiated treatment programs for persons in situations of vulnerability, strengthening interinstitutional coordination and promoting state responses in terms of the residents options, we've stepped those up and also provided more decent employment opportunities to ensure social inclusion.
Paraguay grants particular importance to regional processes for dialogue and international cooperation.
In this sense, we value the opportunities through this forum which help us to raise the profile of the various themes, strengthened coordination with the UN system, and allows us to consolidate a comprehensive approach here.
Migration is a global reality which when well managed, represents an opportunity for the development of individuals and societies.
The common challenge is to ensure its implementation, follow up, and review in a safe, orderly, and regular manner, protecting the rights of migrants.
Thank you.
We reiterate that no state can address migration alone.
We need to strengthen dialogue, the exchange of information, and the integrated border management promoting migrant governance that is based on data.
Excellencies.
To conclude with regard to the progress declaration to be adopted, we would like to specify that certain aspects remain the subject of debate among states and our societies.
In this sense, Paraguay believes that its implementation should be carried out in accordance with the priorities and realities of the microphones being cut off.
Muchas Gracia.
Thank you very much, Mr.
Vice Minister.
Now give the floor to His Excellency, di Mobri Armag, Deputy Minister for Legal Affairs of Liberia.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Liberia reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of the Global Compact for safe, orderly, and regular migration.
Liberia approaches migration not as a challenge to be contained, but as a reality to be governed and an opportunity to be harnessed.
Since 2022, we have taken deliberate steps to strengthen migration governance.
The establishment of the technical coordination mechanism on migration marks a significant milestone, reinforcing a whole of government approach and improving institutional coordination under the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Migration is now firmly embedded in our national development framework, the IRES Agenda for Inclusive Development, 2025 to 2029.
This reflects our conviction that well managed migration contributes meaningfully to economic growth, resilience, and national stability.
We have strengthened our evidence base through the 2022 population and Housing census and migration governance indicator assessments.
These tools are informing policy, guiding reforms, and helping us identify critical gaps that we are actively addressing.
Liberia has also advanced efforts to modernize border management systems, strengthen legal frameworks to combat trafficking in persons, and improve coordination among institutions responsible for protection of migrants.
We are equally committed to leveraging the potential of our diaspora through structured pathways to translate diaspora engagement into tangible development outcomes.
Distinguished delegates, we are realistic about the challenges that remain.
Fragmented data systems, capacity constraints and uneven service delivery continue to affect implementation.
However, these challenges do not deter us to sharpen our focus and define our priorities.
Liberia is actively advancing the development and adoption of comprehensive national migration policy to consolidate institutional mandates and guard long term governance.
We are prioritizing investments in data harmonization, border infrastructure, digital systems, and protection frameworks, particularly for vulnerable populations.
We are Strengthening international cooperation and targeted technical support to ensure that national commitment is matched by global solidarity.
Distinguished Chair, Liberia remains steadfast in its commitment to the full, effective and inclusive implementation, follow up and review of the Global Compact for Migration.
Thank you.
Thank you, Deputy Minister.
I now give the floor to His Excellency Ivia Bosniak, Deputy Minister of Security of Bosnia, Herzevia.
Distinguished excellencies, dear ladies and colleagues.
Bosnia and Herzegovina remains firmly committed to strengthening the international cooperation in managing migration guided by the principles of the Global Compact for safe, orderly and regular migration.
As a country located on important migratory routes of the Western Balkans, we are approaching migration comprehensively, trying to establish a balance between security aspects, protection of human rights and complying with international obligations.
Over the last period of time, we have recorded a significant decrease of irregular migratory movements higher than 40% compared to the previous year.
Simultaneously, data confirmed that Bosnan Herzegvna still remains primarily a transit country that largely determines our approach and priorities.
Parel with that, we have continuous strengthening the institutional capacities.
That includes introducing a system of biometric identification of foreign nationals, enhancing asylum procedures, as well as intensifying cooperation with the European Union Asylum Agency.
Also, we are working on a gradual transition in managing reception capacities from the international organizations on to domestic institutions, whereby we are additionally strengthening national ownership and system sustainability.
At the operational level, we have strengthened measures of border management, enhance regional cooperation, including joint patrols with the neighboring states and additionally empowered combating migrant smuggling networks.
In that context, we are in particular highlighting the importance of enhancing cooperation with Frontex as the key partner in strengthening border management and aligning with the European standards.
Bosnan Herzegvinna remains a reliable partner in the domain of readmission as well.
In continuous cooperation with the European Union member states.
In accordance with the aforementioned, we are currently working on developing a new strategy, 2026 2030 aiming at further strengthening our coordinated approach, taking into consideration the importance of the Global compact as the key framework for enhancing the migration management, the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina has prepared and sent to the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegvna the information on participation at the International Migration Review Forum, along with a proposal for further steps within its implementation.
We are expecting that the Council of Ministers will consider and adopt this information in the upcoming period, whereby the institutional framework for further operating in this field would be additionally empowered.
Upon adopting the information, Bosnia and Herzegovinna will formally submit its pledge for compiling voluntary review on the implementation of the Global Compact on migration.
Thank the Deputy Minister I now give the floor to Her Excellency, Shaka Nijua Bind Ab.
I'm very sorry my mistake.
I now give the floor to Her Excellency, Fatumata au, Secretary of State for International Cooperation and Communities of Guinea Bissau.
President, distinguished delegates, it is an honor to address this Assembly on behalf of the government of the Republic of Guinea Bissau.
Guinea Bissau aligns itself with the statement of the African group.
We speak from a country where migration is not theoretical.
It is lived, shaped by opportunity, vulnerability, and resilience.
Since the adoption of the Global Compact, we have strengthened migration governance.
We reactivated our national migration platform, bringing together government, civil society, and partners.
We are finalizing a national migration policy an action plan focused on governance, protection, mobility, and the fight against trafficking.
Our approach is becoming more strategic and evidence based.
We are investing in migration data, strengthening advisory services for return and reintegration, and expanding access to legal identity through passports and birth registration in our embassies.
Because documentation is protection, dignity and rights.
At the same time, we are addressing root causes through youth employment and vocational training, expanding alternatives for young people too often faced with a single choice departure.
We are reinforcing efforts against trafficking, improving border management, and engaging our diaspora as a partner in development.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, these advances are real, but they are fragile.
Guinea Bissau is increasingly becoming a transit and departure point along the West African route, not by choice, but by shifting pressures.
When routes close elsewhere, fragility does not disappear, it relocates.
This reveals a deeper imbalance.
Migration responsibilities are too often carried by countries least equipped to absorb their costs.
If we are serious about the global compact, three shifts are essential.
From short term assistance to sustained investment in national systems, from containment to opportunity through legal pathways, and from declarations to genuine equitable responsibility sharing.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, migration, when governed with dignity and cooperation can be a force for development, stability, and human connection.
For Guinea Bissau, this is immediate, human, and central to our shared future.
The strength of this compact will be measured not by what we declare here, but by what we sustain beyond this room.
I thank you, Madam President.
Secretariat.
I now give the floor to Her Excellency, Shaka Nijwa Bind Abdullah, Abdul Haman Al Thani, Vice Minister of Labor, Secretary-General of the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking of Qatar.
Rahim.
In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate, we come here today while facing a clear reality.
Migration is not a temporary crisis to manage.
It is a global reality that changes every day.
The question is no longer whether migration will continue, but how do we build a governance that makes it more regular, more humane, and more sustained? And this is where the importance of the forum lies not in statements, but in its ability to turn the commitments into measurable outcomes and cooperation that is constructive and international.
Today, we participate as a country of origin and transit, and we have decided to rebuild our relationship with arrivals through major restructuring.
We have canceled exit permissions, and we have workers now without any arbitrary conditions.
In terms of protection, we have established centers for visas and services in origin countries, so protection begins before traveling and we have activated systems for complaints and remedies.
As for accountability, we have strengthened the system of oversight and compliance, and we have legal responsibility and criminal responsibility against perpetrators because no reform without accountability is diminished.
We realized that reforming the labor market is not complete without fighting trafficking in persons as a transnational crime that exploits gaps in systems.
Therefore, we have linked migration, labor residency, and combating trafficking in persons within one unified system.
Now the reforms that are a implemented cover a large range of the GCM objectives, and we have a 360 degree system to positively affect the lives of 2 million migrants.
This is a continuing approach because if we reform our systems, we're not doing that because we are responding to pressures.
We're doing it because investment in human rights is an investment to the stability of community and the competitiveness of our economy.
Based on this, we call on focusing on three priorities.
First, expanding regular pathways for migration as a strategic tool for economy instability away from any practices that could lead to an unfair competitiveness between origin destinations.
Second, to have protection through the entire path of migration based on shared responsibilities.
Third, to develop measurement tools through this forum as we need to measure the outcomes and not be based just on the declarations.
The value of the forum is not by having it convened but by its impact.
We are participating because we're convinced that the humanitarian management of and migration is possible and can be done through partnership with the international community.
Thank you.
Thank you, Vice Minister.
I now give the floor to Her Excellency, Isadora La Cava, Deputy Secretary for Human Rights of the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship of Brazil.
Excellencies, esteemed delegates, I have the honor to address you today to mark the renewed engagement of Brazil with the Global Compact for safe, orderly, and regular migration, a milestone in international cooperation that provides a vision grounded in human rights, international cooperation, and shared responsibility.
Migration has risen to the forefront of political debate worldwide, increasing under a restrictive approach.
We witnessed the proliferation of xenophobic discourse and policies, increasing constraints on migration and on the right to seek asylum, as well as growing externalization of migrant management.
Let me remind us of what President Lula said at the General Assembly last September.
Democracy loses when we close our doors and blame migrants for the ills of the world.
Brazil is pleased to announce the submission of 11 national pledges in support of the Global Compact.
These include commitments to combat xenophobia, promote the safe and dignified return of Brazilian nationals through the Aa Brazil Program, strengthen family reunification and combat trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants.
Last year, Brazil adopted its national policy on migration, refugees and statelessness, a landmark for coordinated multi level government action with direct participation of civil society, international organizations, and migrant communities.
Brazil is proud to grant migrants equal access to rights and to public services regardless of their status.
Brazil is proud to be part of the champion countries group and work with partners to promote more humane, coordinated and human rights based migration governance in our region.
We support the Progress Declaration and regret the growing difficulty of reaching multilateral consensus on migration issues.
We call upon all member states to uphold the Global Compact as our shared framework for cooperation, not only to manage migration, but to reaffirm our collective commitment to dignity, solidarity, human rights, and multilateralism.
I thank you.
Vito Brigada Sor Secretariat.
I now give the floor to His Excellency, Chinal Haul, under Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers of the Philippines.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates.
The Philippines is honored to address the second IMRF and reaffirm its unwavering commitment to the GCM, not as a theoretical framework, but as an operational tool for policy implementation and a guiding instrument to uphold migrants rights, dignity, welfare, fairness, and shared responsibility.
The Philippines has made significant strides in implementing the GCM.
Drawing on over 50 years of its migration governance experience.
As a testament to this, we highlight the establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers in 2022 as a landmark reform embodying the state's commitment and duty to protect the rights and welfare of over 10 million overseas Filipino workers.
The Philippines through the explicit provisions of the DMW law has substantially operationalized the GCM objectives by putting in place programs and services throughout the entire migration cycle, starting from the moment that workers choose to pursue migration to the time they arrive at the work sites, adapt to the return and reintegration.
Excellency, the Philippines strongly adheres.
To safe and legal pathways of migration, as well as to fair and ethical recruitment.
It takes pride in its time honored institutions of regulating the deployment of our workers, the system of documentation and accreditation of employers, licensing of recruitment agencies, skill certification, verification of employment documents, and provision of on site assistance to ensure and secure our workers' rights to decent work, fair wages, proper working and living conditions, and humane treatment.
To address workers' vulnerabilities, the Philippines established 43 migrant workers offices in our embassies and consulates abroad, while with the mandate to provide legal and welfare assistance to our OFWs who are experiencing contract violations, non payment of wages, maltreatment, abuse and other forms of exploitation.
The Philippines has also instituted reforms to address the conditions of our less privileged workers, including domestic workers.
This explains why the Philippines attaches great importance to bilateral labor agreements.
As of date, the Philippines has 72 active bilateral agreements with labor nive countries.
The Philippines likewise valued the importance of regional and multilateral cooperation.
As the current chair of the Asean and Abu Dhabi dialogue, we believe that they can be effective platforms to further advance our commitments through collaboration between origin and destination countries.
As a labor sending country, the Philippines has taken concrete steps at the national level to advance our priorities and objectives.
However, national efforts are not enough.
We believe that migration is a shared responsibility and requires genuine and meaningful partnership between origin, transit, and I thank the undersecretary.
I now give the floor to His Excellency, Alexander Yales DeLz, Vice Minister for Multilateral Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Madam President, Distinguished delegates.
Migrating isn't a threat, much less a criminal offense.
It's a human and social reality experienced by more than 300 million people and their families.
This is a human rights issue requiring universal treatment that doesn't lend itself to utilitarian approaches to address demographic or labor shortages.
Venezuela speaks as an example of hospitality, home to diverse diasporas, and other migratory flows that for decades have integrated culturally and enriched our identity.
This existential reality compels us to firmly reject all forms of xenophobia, racism or discrimination against migrants.
It's a moral and ethical duty to address the root causes of migration, which is driven, induced, and forced by structural inequalities, economic crises, armed conflicts, environmental degradation, and undeniably by the adverse impact of unilateral coercive measures.
Madam President, For Venezuela, the politicization of migration over the last few years has been particularly harmful.
Narratives have been promoted instrumentalizing migration for political pressure while its true causes remain concealed.
Venezuelans have been the victims of stigmatization campaigns, exploitation, and hostile policies in various transit and host countries within our region and beyond.
We reject the securitization of migration.
Treating migrants as a threat doesn't provide any solutions.
On the contrary, it heightens their vulnerability, strengthens criminal networks, and overlooks their human rights.
The criminalization of migration, mass deportations, and cruel and inhumane treatment speak to the dehumanization of migration, highlighting the urgent need for policies that uphold human dignity.
Madam President, the UN system must act with neutrality, impartiality and independence, ensuring that its work, including in the humanitarian field is not used for political purposes.
Madam President, Venezuela has promoted specific initiatives such as the return to the Homeland plan to reverse the migratory trend that began in 2015 with the intensification of unilateral coercive measures against Venezuela.
Voluntary return is a human right.
2018-2025, more than 1 million Venezuelans returned home.
We are aware that we are the only example in the world that has achieved such success.
The key lies in respecting sovereignty without interventionism, strengthening cooperation without excluding the country's concern and addressing structural causes of migration.
Finally, we reaffirm our commitment to safe, orderly and regular migration under a humane, multilateral and non politicized approach.
Thank you very much, President.
Thank you very much, distinguished delegates.
Chess.
Thank you very much.
I now give the floor to the representative of Denmark.
Dear Madam Chair, distinguished ministers and delegates, allow me to start by sincerely thanking the UN Network on Migration, the Office of the President of the General Assembly, and the co facilitators of the Progress Declaration, Kenya and Luxembourg for their hard work in making this forum a success.
Denmark signed the Global Compact on migration in 2018, as we believe that international cooperation is the best way to address migration related challenges.
The Danish national and international policies and initiatives are in line with the GCM objectives.
Denmark offers a wide range of safe, orderly and regular pathways.
It is important to us that the GCM reaffirms the sovereign right of states to determine their own migration policies while living up to their obligations under international law.
In line with the GCM, Denmark has adopted legislation to enhance flexibility, availability of legal pathways.
An example of this is a supplementary pay limit scheme, which was introduced in 2023.
The obligation of states to take back their own nationals is a cornerstone of the GCM, and efficient return system is key to ensure regular migration.
In Denmark, we established a return agency in 2019 to ensure a smooth process for all migrants who are to return.
Unfortunately, not all countries are cooperating and we note with regret that some countries of origin still fail to comply with the obligation to readmit their own nationals as clearly stated in Objective 21 of the GCM.
We expect that every state will live up to this obligation in the future.
Denmark supports GCM implementation worldwide by financing a wide range of migration engagement.
In 2024 and 2025, Denmark launched four mult annual migration programs with more than 190 euros allocated until 2030.
They cover activities in the Mediterranean region, Sub Sahara Africa, Turkea and the Western Balkans.
The migration programs follow a whole of group approach focusing on migration management, return, readmission, counter smuggling, and enhancing the protection of migrants.
We support a holistic 360 degree approach to tackling migration related issues in line with the GCM through predictable funding.
This includes core funding of IOM and the migration Multi Partner Trust Fund.
We have provided an annual core contribution to IOM since 2018 with the aim to support well managed, safe, and ordinary migration, and in this context, also IOM's role in the UN architecture on migration.
Denmark is a proud donor of the MPTF steering committee and a multi year donor to the fund.
We stand ready to I thank the distinguished representative of Denmark.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Finland.
President, distinguished ministers and delegates, we are here because of a need to better address migration issues globally as a joint effort.
The implementation of the GCM is also an opportunity to emphasize the value of strengthening the whole of society approach to migration.
By engaging all actors, we can make use of all the skills and capacities of various stakeholders.
Let me highlight some Finnish achievements and present some of our practices which can be useful and generally interesting.
Finland participates in migration management at the EU level where cooperation with third countries, regional actors, and the international community are crucial.
It is important to share information in countries of origin on the risks of illegal entry and to address the root causes of migration.
To ensure the sustainability of the returns of people who do not have a legal right to reside, information on voluntary return and reintegration is promoted, including targeted timely return counseling.
Finland has an action plan against trafficking in human beings.
Among other measures, the authorities seek to strengthen the identification and referral of victims of human trafficking and improve capacities to prevent and combat trafficking.
To achieve these objectives, a national referral mechanism was published in the form of a handbook and an open and free online training course was launched.
The objective of the Finnish integration policy is to promote employment and integration.
Efforts have been made to improve the reach of immigrants outside the labor force, such as parents caring for children at home and their access to services promoting integration and employment.
In line with the government action plan to combat racism and promote equality, several measures have been taken to advance diversity and equality in the workplace.
Working Finland provides free coaching for companies and organizations on inclusive recruitment practices, as well as on developing diverse and equitable work communities.
Developing and implementing bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation frameworks and agreements, including readmission agreements and arrangements, ensuring that returning and admission of migrants to the country of origin is safe, dignified, and in full compliance with international human rights law is a key objective.
Balanced, sustained and mutually beneficial partnerships are pivotal when aiming at preventing irregular migration and forced displacement and enhancing the cooperation on return and readmission.
Finally, I would like to thank all participants for the constructive and fruitful review forum.
We need true dialogue, action, and mutual respect to reach our common goals and best possible.
I thank the representative of Finland and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Egypt.
Say the right.
Madam President, I have the honor to deliver Egypt's statement at the second IMRF to follow up on the implementation of the GCM.
Fast paced transformations in the world made migration its top priority on the global agenda.
Egypt, under the guidance of His Excellency President Abdel Fatah Hasisi has developed a comprehensive national framework linking migration policies, the SDGs, and the 2063 EU agenda.
In implementing the GCM, Egypt adopts an approach that balances state sovereignty, the protection of human rights, and maximizing the developmental impact of migration.
We have made significant progress on legislative, institution and executive levels.
In terms of migration governance, Egypt has strengthened border management capabilities.
We have amended articles of the law on combating illegal migration and smuggling of migrants with tighten penalties in order to achieve required deterrence.
We have also In terms of protection of migrants, we have developed an integrated system, including national referral mechanisms with dedicated funds to protect victims.
We have expanded national programs and improved targeting of the most vulnerable, as well as services, including shelter, medical, and legal care.
We have also adopted new legislations, including a manual on overseas employment, as well as new partnerships to link employment with needs on the labor market, with safe and regular pathways for migration.
We also attach great importance to addressing the root causes of migration with investing in education, training, and youth for young people.
As Egypt hosts millions of migrants and refugees without establishing camps and providing them with basic services without discrimination and with limited international support, we stress the importance of the principle of burden and responsibility sharing.
Madam President, despite this progress, challenges remain.
And priorities going forward include expanding regular pathways, mutual recognition of qualifications, integrated data systems, and institutional coordination, as well as sustainable funding while supporting regional and international cooperation to combat smugling of migrants and trafficking in persons.
Our experience shows that balanced migration supports development and cooperation accordingly.
We reiterate our commitment to working with our partners in order to achieve the compact objectives for a more stable and more prosperous future.
Thank you, Madam President.
I thank the Representative of Egypt and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cyprus.
Madam President, migration has been a defining feature of human history.
It has shaped societies and connections across regions through cultural exchange, economic contribution, and the sharing of knowledge.
At the same time, it has often been driven by conflict, instability, and inequality.
When not effectively managed, migration can also place pressure on national systems and communities.
Therefore requires balanced, cooperative, and well governed approaches, and this is the reason we are here today.
This forum has provided a valuable opportunity for states that have endorsed the global compact, as well as observers and stakeholders to engage in constructive exchanges and to take stock of the progress achieved in its implementation.
It also serves as a timely reminder that commitments are ultimately measured through sustained and tangible action.
The management of migration is a multidimensional issue requiring continuous effort, collaboration, and adjustment to the new challenges.
Cyprus remains firmly committed to the respect of human rights, human dignity, and the full implementation of international law.
The same time, it is important to acknowledge that as a country of destination, Cyprus has experienced significant pressure in recent years due to irregular migration and its instrumentalization.
Irregular migration requires sustained and serious attention.
It directly affects the functionality of national migration systems and by extension their capacity to manage irregular migration in an orderly and effective manner.
Challenges faced by host countries must be fully taken into account alongside those of countries of origin and transit.
It is a fundamental reality that the management of migration, both regular and irregular, is a shared responsibility among all states.
In this regard, effective cooperation is essential.
This includes addressing irregular migration, dismantling smuggling networks that in some contexts operate with impunity, and combating trafficking in human beings in all its forms.
Equally important is the obligation of all states to ensure the effective return and readmission of their own nationals in accordance with international law.
Madam Chair, Cyprus supports the development of safe, orderly and legal migration pathways.
However, such efforts can only succeed if they are grounded in a balanced and comprehensive approach.
One that recognizes shared responsibility across all dimensions of migration.
Cyprus remains focused on the implementation of a fair, effective and human centered migration policy, dealing with the migration issue in a responsible and humanitarian way in full harmonization within the international and European law.
I thank you.
I thank the permanent representative of Cyprus and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia.
Madam President, Excellencies, Indonesia shares Secretary-General call to keep the rights, dignity, and well being of migrants at the center of our efforts, including the full implementation of the Global compact in its entirety.
Guided by the whole of government and whole of society principles, Indonesia continues to advance a comprehensive approach to migration governance in its development framework, underscoring skilled labor mobility and the protection of Insian citizens overseas as national priorities.
To this end, President Subianto established dedicated Ministry of Protection of In migrant workers.
Recently, the domestic workers Protection Law was enacted and the ILO Convention number 188 is being ratified.
We also continue to strengthen migration data governance, digital consular services, and one stop integrated services in high sending areas to ensure stronger protection from exploitation and irregular migration.
Excellencies, community based approaches also remain central.
Through productive migrant villages and Golden Migrant villages initiatives, Indonesia provides migration information, skills training, and economic empowerment for migrant workers, their families, and returnees.
Social protection has also been strengthened, including mandatory pre departure enrollment in the National Social Security scheme and cooperation with partner countries to advance portability of benefits.
At the same time, we recognize persistent challenges.
Structural drivers of migration remain insufficiently addressed.
Protection gaps continue along migration corridors, particularly on fair recruitment, access to justice, and decent working conditions.
In this regard, Indonesia calls for stronger shared commitments among countries of origin, transit, and destination to prevent non procedural placement, reduce exploitation, and uphold their dignity, safety, and protection.
We also call for a stronger cooperation on data sharing and skills recognition.
Finally, Madam President, as a GCM champion country, we stand ready to work with all member states and stakeholders to advance safe, orderly, and regular migration for all.
I thank you very much.
I thank the representative of Indonesia and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Uruguay.
Thank you.
Thank you, Madam President.
Uruguay would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm its full commitment to the implementation of the Global Compact for a safe, orderly and regular migration.
As is reflected in our voluntary report, our human mobility policies are expressly aligned with and in conformity with the objectives and guiding principles of the compact.
Since 2008, prior to the adoption of the compact, Uruguay has had law 18250, which recognizes the right to migration family reunification due process.
For regardless of migratory status, our national commitment led to the recent recognition of Uruguay as a champion country in terms of migration.
At a regional level.
In 2026, we have been exercising the presidency of the South American Conference on Migration.
We are pleased to carry this out with the IOM and to submit a regional progress report.
The implementation of the compact from 2022, 2026 has shown significant progress in Uruguay.
We have consolidated a state policy in migration, which has allowed us to make stable progress throughout different governments.
I would like to highlight the strengthening of our migratory governance, the appointment of three ministries addressing migration, but also the inclusion of civil society, including the direct participation in the design of policy and also the review of migratory policy.
I'd also like to highlight all of the work carried out by the advisory councils abroad where they coordinate the return of migrants.
Another policy under review is the First National Integration Plan for asylum seekers and refugees.
In 2004, we also had set up the ARIO declaration.
I would like to say here that soon we will have a similar law that is much more flexible to integrate many more migrants.
Another specific example was the resolution in 2025 that ened the enrollment of children adolescents in situations of migration with any ID documentation and that of the guardian adult.
President on behalf of Uruguay, we commit before this forum to continue advancing and implementing the compact through a human rights, gender sensitive based approach throughout all of our migration policies, particularly focusing on the microphone has been cut off.
Gracias.
Thank you very much to the representative of Uruguay.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mexico.
Thank you very much, Madam President.
The Global Compact is the outcome of years of efforts by the international community to place migration on the General Assembly's agenda.
Throughout this process, Mexico has participated constantly, proactively and constructively.
This second forum is being held against a complex backdrop, armed conflicts, the increase in displacements, the rise of discriminatory and anti migrant speech, as well as trends outsourcing migration, have all increased pressure on national capacities of origin and transit countries.
This is further compounded by scarce financial resources.
Against this backdrop, Mexico has taken steps at the national and sub national level to enhance its migrationy governance reflected in our voluntary national report.
Mexico will continue promoting respect for human rights, a gender based approach, the protection of the best interests of the child, and priority attention to persons in vulnerable situations, including women, indigenous persons, older persons, and LGBTI persons.
We stress on the importance of recognizing the contribution of migrants to the development of societies.
Therefore, we think it's essential to avoid approaches that lead to their criminalization or stigmatization.
Furthermore, it's vital to strengthen coordination and complementarity between the Global Compact for migration and the Global Compact on refugees.
Madam President, Mexico will continue addressing the root causes of migration, promoting pathways for regular migration, generating conditions for social and economic inclusion of migrants, and ensuring that return when it is carried out, is done in safe, orderly, and dignified conditions strictly in accordance with international law.
With measures to guarantee full re insertion.
In addition, my country announces specific commitments to promote comprehensive attention to persons on the move, to consolidate the implementation of national strategies for the comprehensive protection of children and adolescents, and step up local action to eliminate barriers to rights and services.
Mexico recognizes the validity of the principles in the Global Compact and we will work to consolidate a migratory governance that is human rights based and people centered.
Madam President, Mexico is also honored to take the floor on behalf of a group of states committed to the human rights of migrants and refugees.
The Global Compact on Refugees provides a framework for action that encompasses society as a whole to strengthen international cooperation, to ensure the protection of refugees in accordance with international law, to ease pressure on host countries, and to guarantee the fair distribution of burden and responsibilities.
For some time now the international community has recognized the distinct legal and normative frameworks that govern refugees and migrants, which led to the adoption of two separate compacts.
The Global Compact on migration has clearly reiterated that migrants and refugees are distinct groups governed by separate legal frameworks.
We reaffirm thus our respective commitments to the Global Compact on migration, which promotes the human rights and dignity of migrants and provides practical tools for a safe, regular and orderly migration and migratory management that is rights based.
While they are distinct, both compacts are complementarity.
Are complementary.
In this context, the progress in the implementation of the Global Compact on migration could contribute to meeting some of the objectives in the Global Compact on refugees, as well as attaining some of the sustainable development goals and strengthening efficiencies in accordance with the UN 80 reform initiative.
The rest of the statement on behalf of this group of states will be available online.
Thank you very much.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Serbia.
Your Excellencies, allow me to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to address you on behalf of the Republic of Serbia, as well as to extend my special gratitude to the Secretary-General, the UN Migration Network, and all partners COVID their dedicated work contribute to improving the protection of migrants.
Serbia today finds itself in the intersection of various migration flows.
A decades of experience in hosting forcibly displaced persons from the former Yugoslavia.
As well as managing the challenges of intensive transient movements.
Serbia is increasingly becoming a destination country for labor migration.
In the 1990s, Serbia received over 600,000 refugees during the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia.
More than 400,000 people has acquired citizenship, which represents the largest refugee integration process in Europe.
In addition, there are 200,000 IDPs from the autonomous province of Kosovo and Mia that live in Central Serbia.
As a country in which more than 10% of its population has a refugee or IDP background, Serbia remains strongly committed to creation condition from durable and sustainable solution for all displaced persons.
Serbia historical experience as a country of origin, transit, and destination has shaped an approach that places the dignity of every individual at the center.
In this spirit, Serbia remains strongly committed to the full implementation of the global Agreement for safe, orderly, and regular migration.
Today at the Second Migration Forum, we wish to reaffirm our continued commitment to these principles.
Serbia has developed a legal and institutional framework that puts people at the center of migration policies with particular attention to the protection of women, children, and the elderly.
Since the beginning of the migrant crisis in 2015, the Commissart for Refugee and migration has provided accommodation and services to over 1.5 million migrants from 120 countries around the world.
Ladies and gentlemen, Serbia remains fully committed to the full implementation of the goals of the Global Compact on migration.
We are convinced that only through the joint, determined and coordinated action, we can build a more just and inclusive world, a world in which no one is left behind.
Thank you for your kind attention.
I thank the representative of Serbia.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Arab Emiry.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.
Four years ago, the international community renewed its commitment to the Global Compact for migration.
We renew this commitment today.
We will continue to strengthen international cooperation in this area.
Migration promotes development in my country.
We are proud to host more than nationals from 200 countries.
This is an example of coexistence and diversity.
They contribute to our dynamic economy and to a vibrant society.
In addition, remittances from the UAE have now reached 147.8 billion DNAs in 2024.
This indicates the link between migration and development and reinforces the role of migrants as a bridge for common development.
My country has added more flexible visa categories, innovative residency pathways, and other mechanisms to attract skills.
We continue to protect workers.
We have a wage protection system covering 99% of private sector workers.
Monthly transfers have now reached 35 billion dinars per month.
This system promotes transparency and rights.
At the international level, We chaired the Global Forum on Migration and Development in 2020.
During our presidency, we insisted on a human centered approach and on international dialogue and partnerships.
In addition, we host the permanent Secretariat of the Abu Dhabi dialogue to promote cooperation and to ensure good governance for temporary workers.
Given increasing challenges around the world, we must address the underlying factors behind migration, which are becoming increasingly complex and interconnected.
These are conflicts, development challenges, and environmental pressures.
In addition, issues such as water and food security are becoming increasingly important.
We will also be hosting the United Nations Water Conference with the co presidency of Senegal.
We have also done our utmost to address migrant smuggling and trafficking through protection of the most vulnerable women children and young people.
To conclude, we believe that the success of this compact depends on strengthening partnerships, sharing responsibility, and respecting the specificities of every country.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of the United Arab Emigates and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Morocco.
Madam President, it's my pleasure to make this statement before the second International Migration Review Forum on behalf of Morocco.
In 2018, we hosted the conference to conclude this compact in Marrakesh.
Under the orders of His Majesty, the King, we insisted on the importance of this global compact.
This isn't an end in of itself, it is a tool to manage migration in accordance with its own vision.
My country has over the last four years continued to work.
We have launched a pioneering approach and we have shared good practices.
We use the momentum generated by the Global Compact as a springboard and this week we'll be undertaking a review.
This isn't merely procedural or theoretical, it is indeed a recommitment to the global compact.
We have made great strides and soon we will be presenting our voluntary review.
This represents our document on all of our achievements.
These include human governance to ensure a human based control of borders, fighting people smuggling and migrant smuggling networks.
Secondly, we are providing education, health, employment services to all.
Thirdly, we're working to introduce indicators.
For this reason, my country supports the African Forum on migration, we hosted in Rabat.
Fourth, we've been working on generating a positive narrative with regards to migration.
We've developed more than 100 positive case studies with migration centers.
We are a country of origin transit and we plan to do our utmost to cooperate at the regional and international level.
To conclude, we reiterate the importance of this review.
It represents an opportunity to reiterate our consensus on the need for safe orderly and regular migration.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of Morocco and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kenya.
President of the General Assembly, excellences, distinguished delegates.
Kenya aligns itself with the statements delivered by the representatives of the African Union and IGT.
I congratulate the President of the General Assembly, the UN Secretary-General, the Director General for IOM, the UN Network on Migration, and co facilitators for steering this forum.
We are indeed grateful to have co facilitated the 2026 Progress Declaration with Luxembourg.
We meet four years after the first IMRF in the year 2022 and eight years after Marrakesh to reflect on whether the Global compact has made migration safer, orderly, and more regular for our people.
Are we making any gradual segmented progress despite the present hard realities? Today, at the second International Migration Review Forum, Kenya's statement is simple and firm.
We see progress.
Therefore, we are ready to implement the Global Compact beyond the year 2027.
We are proud of the progress made in implementing this global compact as articulated in our National Voluntary Review Report of the year 2026.
This report scientifically assessed progress made, identified gaps, and proposed actionable recommendations.
To mention a few notable achievements, these were realized in policy alignment, legal identity, border governance, migrant protection, diaspora management, labor migration, regular pathways, migration and displacement data, adoption of appropriate technologies and local, national and regional coordination and cooperation, and mainstreaming migration into national socio economic development.
Kenya is proud to be a champion country for GCM implementation, not for the sake of recognition, but because we understand from daily lived reality that migration can be an opportunity or a misfortune depending on governance, philosophy, evidence, and pace of movement.
We commit to strengthening and accelerating GCM implementation through strategic engagement with all stakeholders tapping into the UN network capacity building mechanism to build the NCM capacity in monitoring and tracking the GCM implementation.
Kenya will also expedite the progress of approval of national migration policy in the year 2026 27 to give guidance to all stakeholders in the migration sector and integrate GCM principles and objectives.
In conclusion, Kenya commits to honoring and thereby renews its previous pledges made in 2022, which could not be met support the ongoing implementation.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Kenya.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Zambia.
Madam President, Your Excellency's distinguished delegates.
Zambia agns with the statement delivered by Nigeria on behalf of the African group and further wishes to extend sincere appreciation to the president of the General Assembly for her leadership in guiding the review process and fostering constructive engagement among member states.
Zambia has continued to make notable progress implementing Global Compact for migration through targeted policy reforms, strengthened legal frameworks, and enhanced institutional coordination, underscoring its steadfast commitment to safe, orderly and regular migration in line with the international standards.
A key milestone was the adoption of the 2022 National Migration Policy, which provides an overarching framework for migration management in Zambia.
Further, significant progress has been made in strengthening protection mechanisms through the establishment of the anti human trafficking department and the operationalization of the national re mechanism to identify and provide interventions for vulnerable migrants.
With reference to labor migration, Zambia has established a skill advisory committee to identify national skills gaps and promote skills matching.
Supports national development needs while strengthening the protection of Zambian migrants, workers abroad from exploitation and abuse.
As a land linked country with extensive and porous borders, the government has continued to open new border posts, strengthened operational controls in remote areas, and has recruited its first cohort of border guards to monitor and official crossing points.
Measures have been put in place to ensure the vulnerable migrants, such as children, women, asylum seekers, refugees and former refugees are effectively identified, referred, and processed in accordance with the national and international protection frameworks.
Madam President, in strengthening the provision of disaggregated migration data, Zambia has launched the Integrated migration Management Information System in 2025.
This system is expected to improve the collection, analysis, dissemination of migration data, thereby supporting evidence based policymaking and planning.
I wish to inform you that Zambia recently enacted the the distinguished representative of Zambia.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Your Excellence, Madam President, the United Republic of Tanzania is un ready to participate in this forum.
Since the adoption of the Global Compact, we have continued to strengthen migration governance through policy reforms, institutional coordination, and digital transformation.
Key progress includes establishment of a national coordination mechanism to improve policy coherence and implementation of the compact, strengthening migration data systems to support evidence based decision making.
Introduction of emigration services to improve efficiency, transparency, and accessibility, promotion of safe and irregular migration pathway through national and regional frameworks.
Continue efforts to address drivers of migration include poverty, unemployment, and climate change, enhance the protection mechanism for migrants, especially victims of trafficking, improved border governance through coordinated border management system, modern technologies, and one stop border posts.
Madam President, Tanzania reaffirms the following commitments to strengthen migration Data System through establishment of a National Migration Research Center and Comprehensive Migration Data Hb.
To review immigration laws and develop a comprehensive national migration policy that address labor mobility, skills development, and technological advancement, to strengthen border governance and identity management through improved infrastructure, expanded biometric technologies, and enhanced regional cooperation, to address migration and displacement related to disaster, climate change, and environmental degradation.
These commitments are in line with the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development and the Tanzania Development Vision 2050.
Madam President, before I conclude, I wish to thank Excellency, doctor Samir Sulu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, for her significant support in implementing GCM related goals.
In this spirity, Tanzania remains firm committed to advancing safe, orderly and irregular migration, strengthen international cooperation, and ensuring that migration contributes positively to sustainable development.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Tanzania and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Germany.
Madam President, Excellencies, migration is an integral part of today's interconnected world.
The global compact on migration is a crucial milestone of multilateral cooperation.
Together, we have managed to take concrete steps.
Germany is proud to have actively contributed.
We have consistently pursued a whole of government and whole of society approach.
This includes the diaspora community in particular.
We are delighted to have a representative of this community in our delegation once again.
We have also supported other member states to do so as well, for example, in preparing the contributions of partner countries to the regional migration review forums in Latin America and Asia.
We have provided substantial political and financial support to relevant UN actors, international organizations, and mechanisms such as the Migration Multi Partner Trust Fund that contribute to the complex implementation.
We closely coordinate with the UN Network on migration.
Looking forward, we see the need for even stronger joint efforts to ensure that migration is safe, orderly, and regular.
Germany is committed to effectively curbing irregular migration.
The following principles and lines of action remain of particular importance to us.
Human rights and basic humanitarian principles must be fully respected at all times.
Trafficking in persons, labor exploitation, and forced labor must be effectively prevented and prosecuted.
The root causes of migration, such as conflict and climate change need to be addressed and pathways for regular labor migration need to be enhanced.
Partnerships and multilateral cooperation need to be strengthened.
A key component of Germany's migration policy are mutually beneficial partnership agreements with third countries.
With programs such as the Global Skills Partnerships, we are actively investing in irregular migration pathways in countries of origin and destination.
Moreover, we will continue to assist those in vulnerable situations such as trafficked migrants or children left behind.
In closing, let me assure you that Germany I thank the distinguished representative of Germany and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Jamaica.
Madam Chair, excellences, distinguished delegates.
Migration remains a defining feature of Jamaica's national development landscape.
It represents both opportunity and responsibility, requiring strong governance systems, respect for human rights, and sustained international cooperation.
Since our last review in 2022, Jamaica has made steady progress across all 23 objectives of the GCM.
This has been guided by the national policy on international migration and development and supported by a whole of government and society approach coordinated through the Planning Institute of Jamaica.
Notably, Jamaica has continued to promote regular migration pathways.
Through bilateral labor agreements and enhanced oversight of recruitment agencies, we are working to ensure ethical recruitment practices and better protection for our migrant workers.
Pre departure orientation programs and expanded overseas support services further empower our citizens to make informed migration decisions.
Targeted measures have been implemented to address migrant vulnerabilities, including strengthened responses to trafficking in persons.
At the same time, we continue to provide consular support and essential services to migrants in vulnerable situations.
Jamaica has also deepened engagement with its diaspora through innovative digital platforms, the development of our national diaspora policy and implementation framework, and hosting of binnial diaspora conferences.
However, we remain cognizant of the challenges that persist, including data gaps, resource constraints, and the need to further strengthen public awareness and institutional capacity.
In response, we pledge the following for the 2026 to 20 2030 cycle.
One, fully operationalizing our national migration database, two, advancing safe, dignified return and reintegration, continuing to promote regular migration pathways and ethical recruitment, four, intensifying efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination, and five, strengthening international cooperation.
Distinguished delegates, Jamaica remains steadfast in its belief that well managed migration is a powerful driver of sustainable development.
We therefore stand ready to collaborate, share our experiences, and learn from others as we work collectively to realize the objectives of the Global Compact.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of Jamaica and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Senegal.
Madam President.
Madam President, Senegal aligns itself with a statement delivered by Nigeria on behalf of the African group, and we would like to add some remarks in our national capacity.
We are evaluating the impact of the GCM, and this should also allow us to propose comprehensive, coordinated and effective solutions to ensure better protection of migrants along their path, including for women and children.
It should allow us to fight forms of exploitation of people, but it should also allow us to change the perception of migration to be a real lever for change at the global scale.
President, the prospects of migration were enshrined by Senegal in its national migration policy document, which is aligned with all of the development reference frameworks.
Our governance work in this area fits into a coherent, structured, and regularly evaluated strategy evaluated through public mechanisms, the diaspora figures into this document.
It figures in as a source of remittances, but also a source of competence.
And citizenship participation, which supports our national migration strategy and the plan for migration for 2025 to 2029.
President Senegal has made great strides with the support of its partners in terms of fighting irregular migration and the trafficking in migrants, border management, and the identification and management of data related to migrants.
We are working to deepen our cooperation with other countries in order to ensure legal migration pathways.
We are on the way to entering into agreements to ensure legal cooperation and inter am.
Senegal reiterates its commitment to the main international legal instruments that have to do with the right of migrant workers to the protection of refugees, and we sound a call for more financial resources for cross border cooperations programs, for sharing data, for health care assistance along migratory routes and the establishment of assistance centers that respect human rights.
Finally, we remain convinced that migration challenges can be overcome only with genuine support for national programs in countries of origin, offering populations prospects and forward looking decent conditions.
Thank you.
Thank the representative of Senegal and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Uganda.
Madam Chair, Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Uganda is honored to participate in this International migration Review forum.
Ladies and gentlemen, migration is a store of resilience, connection, and shared progress.
Uganda with its open door policy on refugees and a country of origin, transit and destination.
Uganda developed the new national migration policy in 2025 and has launched the Global Compact for migration implementation P 2024, 2028, which are key landmarks achievements aligning national priorities with global commitments.
Uganda also commits to finalize with the implementation action plan in 2026.
I do take this opportunity to thank IM Uganda, UN Network on migration, and development partners who have stood with our government and people to ensure migration is safe, orderly, and beneficial for all.
The excellences migrants bring with them skills, entrepreneurship, and remittance.
The contribution drive prosperity, not only in their new communities, but also in their countries of origin.
Uganda has witnessed firsthand how migration fuels innovation and economic growth.
Our communities thrive when we embrace inclusion and cooperation.
Showing that unity and diversity are strength to be celebrated.
Uganda will continue to foster this spirit, ensuring that every migrant feels welcome and valued.
Effective migration management relies on data driven, inclusive approaches and strong partnership by working together across all agencies, sectors, and borders.
Your Excellency's, Uganda commitment to dignified migration through robust policies and collaborative efforts.
As we gather here today, let us reaffirm our dedication to making migration a force for good as we challenge the negative narratives and fight illegal migration and transnational crimes through capacity building and decentralizing of immigration services beyond our borders.
Uganda, we remain committed to the goals and objectives of the Global Compact for migration by integrating them.
I thank the representative of Uganda.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Fiji on behalf of the Pacific small Islands developing states.
Madam President, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the 12 member states of the Pacific Island developing state species with a presence in New York.
Our islands sit at the intersection of climate change and human mobility in ways that regions experience as directly.
The seas are rising and Pacific families are making decisions about the future and the press that no previous generation has said the way to carry in the same way.
When someone leaves, they carry with them obligations to community and to ancestral land, they do not loosen with distance.
It is within the reality that species has engaged with a global compac and it is against the reality that we measure what this forum is able to deliver.
Climate mobility lies at the heart of our priorities.
The international frameworks exist, but frameworks without implementation are intenss without consequence.
With this, we have the following specific comments to make.
First, climate related mobility must be recognized as a central pillar of global migration governance.
This is underscored in the Secretary-General report, including his remarks today, reiterating the urgent need for climate action.
Pacific communities are already experiencing sea level rise, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation that threatens livelihood and as recognized in the Pacific Island Foreign Leaders Declaration.
Second, specific communities need the financing and support that would allow planned relocation where it becomes necessary to proceed on terms that preserve the cultural continuity that gives those decisions their meaning.
Three, labor mobility is where most specific people encounter international migration most directly.
Workers who travel to contribute their labor should be entitled to the full protections that employment carries.
Bilateral agreements governing specific labor mobility must be held to a higher standard of accountability and practice.
Finally, migration also carries genuine development potential for our region.
Remittances sustain specific households and national economies in ways that deserve serious policy attention.
Reducing transfer costs and expanding financial inclusion are concrete steps that partners can take and we urge them to do so.
I thank you Madam President and allow me now to deliver a few remarks in my national capacity.
Excellencies, Fiji is honored to address this forum nearly eight years after the adoption of the GCM.
As a champion country of the GCM, Fiji has taken it upon itself to lead on this important issue.
Fiji has hosted the second Asia Pacific Regional Forum GCM in Bangkok in February last year and this was followed by the region separate GCM preparatory meeting in March this year in Fiji as chaired by Fiji's immigration minister, the Honorable Willa Meno Pto.
We extend our appreciation to all our partners work alongside us, governments, IGOs, and CSOs in this regard.
Fiji has also submitted its voluntary GCM review report 2026, reaffirming our commitment to the GCM informed by extensive whole of government approach, including that of whole of society engagement.
Madam President, against this background, Fiji wishes to highlight three priorities.
For Fiji for PCs, climate change remains an extental concern without having to repeat myself again.
In this regard, Fiji looks forward to hosting the PCP 31 meeting in Fiji 5-8 of October this year, together with our partners from the Pacific, we'll be hosting PCP 31 before the gathering in Turka.
Two, we need partnerships.
A small island states with limited regular migration pathways, data gaps, and capacity constraints in migration management systems compounded by increasing threats posed by transnational organized crime, including trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling.
Said best practices through partnership and collaboration is essential in this regard.
Third, we need financial capital.
We have strategies and commitments that can only be realized with adequate resources.
Fiji is pleased to support the draft progress declaration before us and we stand ready to contribute to its implementation.
We look forward to the establishment of the necessary mechanisms, including financial support to guide its effective implementation.
Madam President, as I conclude, let me reiterate that migration is a shared responsibility, one that demands collective action across all communities as we embark on the next phase of the GCM.
Fiji stands ready to work with our partners to advance safe, orderly and regular migration for the benefit of all Navaleu.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Fiji and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Yemen.
The Republic of Vien reaffirms its strong commitment to implement the GCM.
It does so as it realizes the importance of migration as a national priority and because of the multidimensional repercussions if it is mismanaged.
Despite the exceptional circumstances, we find ourselves at the heart of one of the most active, complex, and dangerous migration routes.
We remain committed to the international law to protect human rights and their dignity, especially regarding the continuing irregular migration flows through the Eastern route through the Horn of Africa, and the ensuing dangers.
We continue to take practical and integrated measures to enhance migration management through an approach that combines humanitarian and security dimensions.
We have worked on developing institutional and legislative frameworks and reactivate and enhance the National Committee for Refugee Affairs as the administrative and legal reference to coordinate national efforts and oversee issue of asylum and expand cooperation with UNHCR and the IOM, thus contributing to the role of national bodies and reducing full reliance on international organizations.
We have doubled our efforts to control land and sea ports by increasing oversight and enhancing legal and security procedures to combat the networks for human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
We have also worked on developing migration data management systems, including activating the matrix to track displacement, to enhance accuracy of data collection and analysis and to direct human response efficiently and to continue to work through regional initiatives to enhance information exchange coordination and addressing the root causes of irregular migration.
In addition to enhancing international partnerships to implement voluntary humanitarian return programs and provide necessary support to migrants.
We reaffirm our commitment to work with all regional and international partners to adopt a balanced approach to migration management based on governance, development, and human rights.
We call on enhancing the support of the international community to enable countries along migration routes to fulfill their commitments efficiently and sustainably.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I thank the representative of Yemen and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba.
Madam President, Your Excellencies, migration cannot be analyzed in isolation from its root causes.
It's not a random phenomenon, rather a consequence of underdevelopment, inequality, poverty, unilateral coercive measures, and a deeply unjust international economic order.
The current landscape of international migration has not improved.
Racism, xenophobia and discrimination are on the rise.
Rejection of migrants is becoming normalized, especially in developed countries.
Those who decide to migrate out of economic necessity are criminalized, labeled as illegal, repressed, and denied entry at borders with discriminatory practices targeting low skilled individuals, while the migration of highly skilled personnel is encouraged.
Since its adoption, Cuba has reiterated its commitment to the objectives of the Pact.
Enormous efforts are being made to ensure regular, orderly and safe migration flows.
This end, new laws on migration, foreign nationals and citizenship have been enacted.
Measures favoring Cubans residing abroad have been promoted and migration procedures have been streamlined among other things.
Although efforts are being made to guarantee our people's right to not have to emigrate for economic reasons, the US economic, commercial, and financial blockade exacerbated to unprecedented extremes by the imposition of a siege of fuel supplies is a fundamental cause of the increase in immigration potential.
This criminal policy aimed at demoralizing the people through deprivation and hardship violates the human rights of Cubans and constitutes a direct incentive for immigration.
We demand an immediate end to the policy of hostility against Cuba.
Added to this is a prolonged campaign of manipulation promoted by successive US administrations, which have offered preferential treatment to irregular Cuban migrants in order to use them as pawns in their hegemonic ambitions.
Many of those same Cubans who were forced to migrate from our country now find themselves in a legal limbo resulting from the US government's xenophobic policies with negative consequences for their safety.
Madam President, although migration policies are part of the inalienable exercise of state sovereignty, we must promote dialogue, genuine collaboration, and shared responsibility among all states for the implementation of the compact.
This is the only way forward.
Cuba will continue to work both domestically and with other countries in favor of safe, orderly and regular migration.
Thank you very much.
Thank you to the permanent representative of Cuba.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Tunisia.
Madam President, at the outset, Tunisia alliance itself for the statement delivered by Nigeria on behalf of the African group, I would like to express its appreciation to the co facilitators, Luxembourg and Kenya.
Tunisia affirm its stro commitment to multilateralism, international cooperation, and shared responsibility.
We stress that assessment of the compact implementation must go beyond a simple review of national practices.
It must be grounded in collective responsibility.
Migration cannot be addressed through security only or short term approach.
It requires a comprehensive framework based on shared but differentiated responsibility and fair burden sharing.
Addressing the root causes, investing in development and safe migration pathways remains the most effective response to irregular migration.
Migration well governed can be a driver of shared prosperity.
This requires expanding regular, structural and circular migration pathways and promoting investment in countries of origin while avoiding brain drain.
Madam President, Tunisia has implemented development initiative in regions with high migration potential to create jobs, support youth, and enable both local opportunities and regular mobility.
However, these efforts require adequate and predictable financing.
In the context of declining development assistance, we call for stronger international support and innovative financing solutions.
We stress also that the urgent need to combat migrant smuggling and trafficking networks, which exploit vulnerabilities, undermine human dignity and threaten state sovereignty.
This context, we reject any attempt to make Tunisia as a platform for irregular transit or forced settlement.
We also reject forced returns, collective exclusions, and the readmission of third country nationals and we oppose unilateral approach that undermine equal and baled partnerships.
At the same time, Tunisia remains committed to cooperation with international community.
Our voluntary return and reintegration program implemented with IOM is a humane and effective model.
Tunisia attach high importance to its diaspora as a strategic development partner.
Remittances from diaspora reached $3 billion in 2025, representing 6.7% of GDP, reflecting the vital role of the diaspora.
To conclude, Tunisia believes that the current global context calls for a more equitable international order and a renewed approach to migration, one that places human dignity, shared responsibility, and development at its core.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Tunisia and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bahrain.
We have 3 minutes, ladies and gentlemen.
Focused Chairperson.
Excellency's, distinguished delegates.
First, allow me to express our sincere appreciation for the excellent organization of this forum and for the efforts undertaken by the United Nations in convening this important platform.
I also commend His Ecellcy the Secretary-General, for his insightful reports, which continue to guide member states in advancing the implementation of the Global Compact for safe, orderly, and regular migrations.
Since the adoption of the Global Compact, the Kingdom of Bahrain has remained committed to integrating its objectives, international policy and practice.
This commitment was reflected in Bahrain's first voluntary GCM progress report in 2020 and continues to be demonstrated through our engagement in international and regional review processes.
Chairperson, Bahrain recognizes that well governed migration is a key driver of sustainable development.
As a long standing labor destination country, we have benefited from a diverse expat workforce that continues to contribute to economic growth and resilience, while also supporting development outcomes in countries of origin.
Line with the evolving needs of a labor market that has matured over time, Bahrain has introduced more flexible and responsive migration pathways.
These include the Golden residency Visa, which supports long term stability for eligible residents and investors, as well as the labor registration Program, which provides a mechanism for workers in irregular situations to regularize their status and reintegrate into the labor market.
Chairperson, Ensuring that labor mobility is accompanied by strong protections remains a national priority.
Expat workers continue to benefit from access to health care within their employment benefits.
Bahrain has also established the Expat Protection Center, a comprehensive one stop facility providing free legal, social, and protective services to victims of trafficking and expat workers in vulnerable situations regardless of administrative status.
Particular attention has been given to raising awareness, including to domestic workers.
In partnership with the International Organization for Migration, Bahrain launched the Working Together campaign, which included orientation programs for both domestic workers and employers alongside multilingual awareness initiatives that promote rights awareness.
Engagement with expat communities has also expanded significantly, which in turn strengthened outreach and enhanced awareness.
Dissemination.
Chairperson, Bahrain remains steadfast in combating trafficking in persons.
This commitment is reflected in Bahrain's maintaining tier one status in the US State Department's Trafficking in Persons Report for eight consecutive.
I thank the representative of Bahrain and now give the floor to the permanent representative of the Syrian Arab Republic.
Thank you, Madam President.
Syria for centuries, was known as a country of destination and transit for millions of refugees and migrants throughout the world.
It is and remains a point of passage for trade.
It is a cradle of civilizations and religion, and it has been a refuge for all those seeking security and protection.
Last in the same situation were Lebanon and Iraq.
Syria.
Syrian immigrants have gone to South America and Europe for decades and they were welcomed in these host countries.
We started a revolution for dignity in 2011.
Since then, many Syrians faced an impossible choice either leave or die at the hands of a criminal regime.
This led to a wave of migration and of refugees from several parts of Syria that were destroyed by the regime.
In this regard, the Syrian government has several crucial points to make.
First, In the past, Syrians showed creativity in host countries.
They supported local economies as the host countries themselves have attested.
Secondly, at present, since the libération of Syria from the former regime, more than 1 million Syrians returned to Syria thanks to the policy of our state, but this return needs to be sustainable.
For that to happen, we need international support.
Number three, and my final point, we reiterate the importance of ensuring the return of those Syrians who wish to return home.
This should be voluntary and dignity and safe.
In order to do this, support is needed.
Support for the priorities of the government of Syria to reconstruct our infrastructure and basic services.
By way of conclusion, I wish to appeal to all Syrians wherever they be in the world.
In every hardship, there is opportunity and perhaps those who have felt the bitterness of migration and of exile, perhaps this isn't only suffering and challenges, but maybe this is an opportunity to learn, an opportunity to share experience with other populations.
The time is at hand to undertake a harvest, and we need you, your experience, and your brains at this historic juncture, which is rare in the history of countries.
You have the fortune opportunity to be part of this.
Thank you.
Of the Syrian Arab Republic and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Republic of Korea.
Thank you, Madam President.
Since the first program in 2022, the Republic of Korea has endeavored to translate the 23 objectives of the goal, Global Compact of migration into tangible national progress.
Please allow me to highlight three areas of our particular focus.
First, legal pathway and skills.
My government has substantively expanded its point based skilled workers program, laying the annual code of seven fold 5000-35 thousand.
Through our regional specific Visa program, we are also linking migration to balanced regional development, thereby supporting both demographic resilience and meaningful opportunities for long term settlement.
Second, human rights and alternatives to detention.
The amendment to our Immigration Act which took effect in June 2025, introduced a binding limit on detention detention periods and established the detention review committee.
We have likewise piloted partially open detention facilities since 2022, mas but principled step toward a more light based approach.
Third, on combating trafficking in persons, our 23 2023 Act on the prevention of trafficking in persons have established a comprehensive framework for victim centered protection, imposed by mandatory training that in 2025 alone, reached almost 170,000 public officials.
Mind that the traps increasingly exploit digital technologies, a concern that the Secretary-General latest report writing underscores will shortly launch it together with like minded partners or global plans for combating technology facilitated trafficking in persons in the conviction that emerging modalities of this crime corporate equally innovative and cooperative responses.
Encouraging the Republic of Korea, thes abiding commitment to the global compact as the central multilateral framework post SAP, order and regular migration.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of the Republic of Korea and now give the floor to the distinguished of Mauritania.
Madam President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.
The Republic of Mauritania attaches great importance to this forum.
It is a prime platform for intergovernmental discussions on progress made in the implementation of the GCM in its various aspects.
Migration remains indeed a key concern for our government, given its humanitarian security and economic dimensions.
Mauritania is strategically located on the Atlantic with proximity to the European continent.
It enjoys security and stability in a volatile and critical region.
It has become a transit destination for irregular migrants coming from various countries seeking better lives and looking to reach other final destinations.
This significant influx of migrants and refugees, coupled with pressures on resources and services, has led to security, economic, and developmental repercussions.
The government, under the guidance of His Excellency, the president of the Republic, made significant effort in order to achieve the GCM objectives.
Several measures were adopted, namely a national strategy on migration for the period 2021, 2030 with an action plan 2021, 2025.
This strategy included enhanced border control and border crossings, updated legislation on migration, as well as dismantling trafficking networks and digital and consular services with particular attention to expatriates.
The strategy also included enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation frameworks, including the UN system and the IOM in particular.
Ladies and gentlemen, my country looks forward to the discussions of this second addition of the IMRF.
We hope that would enhance international cooperation, allow for sharing expertise and best practices to effectively implement the GCM commitments.
We must take into account as well mounting socioeconomic crises and conflicts around the world.
These lead to increased waves of migration.
We remain a reliable partner in global efforts to regulate, secure, and organize migration in line with the requirements of security, national sovereignty, and for respect of international humanitarian law and human rights law.
Thank you.
I thank distinguished representative of Mauritania.
I now give the floor to the permanent representative of Trinida and Tobago.
Madam President, for many of us here in this room today, migration remains an important issue.
It is not lost on us that there may be differing priorities and issues of concern for countries of origin, transit, and destination.
Undoubtedly, one of the key elements of ensuring safe, orderly, and regular migration is the management of porous borders.
Combating narco trafficking and curbing the trafficking in small arms and light weapons, the latter of which is essential to Trinidad and Tobago's Security Council 2027 2028 bid of paramount importance.
Included in this tangled web of transnational organized crime is the scourge of human trafficking, which violates the rights and dignity of many of our fellow women, men, and children across the world.
Trinidad and Tobago, through the Counter Trafficking Unit in the Ministry of Homeland Security, and in collaboration with international partners, continues to pursue a zero tolerance approach to the trafficking in persons with the aim of dismantling networks, pursuing offenders, and strengthening prevention measures.
Support, inclusive of medical attention, psychosocial assistance, and safeguarding measures is provided to rescued victims through a victim support framework.
Trinidad and Tobago has also sought to expand its migrant registration framework to include all eligible irregular immigrants residing within our borders who may have overstayed their time or entered the country illegally.
To this end, successful registrants would be able to live and work legally for a stipulated period in the relevant legal notice and through the issuance of a minister's permit.
The children of these persons under the age of 18 will also be able to attend an educational institution for the duration of the permit issued to the parent.
Madam President, this two pronged approach allows for a legal pathway whilst addressing national security challenges posed by individuals who have committed criminal offenses or are deemed high risk.
Where necessary, Trinidad and Tobago will work towards ensuring the safe and dignified return of its nationals in matters relating to deportation.
I thank you, Madam President.
I thank the permanent representative of Trinida in Tobago and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Thank you, Madam President.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo fully aligns itself with the statement delivered by the African group and supports the call of the African group to ensure consistency between climate development and migration policies.
According to the IOM, 4 million African migrants remain in Africa.
However, the DRC would like to add the following remarks in our national capacity in terms of migration governance.
Madam President, Africa is a continent on the move.
The DRC is one of the historic crossroads.
Our country is aware of complex migration dynamics, including cross border movements.
And the protection of persons in the East due to the imposed war.
For the DRC, migration isn't anything new nor an isolated challenge.
It is profoundly linked to our history, our culture, our geography, and our socioeconomic reality.
It must be addressed with dignity, humanity, responsibility, and solidarity.
The DRC affirms its commitment to the objectives under the Global Compact for Safe, orderly and regular migration and its commitment to the continental framework, the African Framework and the Kampala Convention.
We welcome the operationalization of the African Observatory for Migration and we support the call of the African group to strengthen national and regional systems for data collection.
Madam Chair, however, particular stress should be put on young people and young African workers who are often exposed to criminal networks.
However, with regard to the DRC, some notable progress has been made.
This includes the validation by the government of a roadmap together with a plan of action heightened cooperation with multilateral partners, improving the protection and assistance for communities abroad, consular support for DRC citizens abroad, and also work with Uganda and Burundi whom we thank in the DRC with regard to the laws, migrants are subject to protection without discrimination.
We also reiterate our request to international financial and technical partners to support our national projects for migration management, which could be focused on addressing transnational organized crime, migrant drug trafficking, among other things.
Climate impacts, Madam President, is also an aggravating factor in our region.
Displacement related to the climate, be it internal or cross border demands a coordinated approach and strengthening community resilience.
The DRC underscores the importance of ensuring remittances from the diaspora, which is essential for national development.
We support initiatives to reduce the cost of such remittances.
I think the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kuwait.
Hey.
Madam President, Kuwait expresses its appreciation for convening this important forum.
It is a critical juncture to highlight progress made in the implementation of the GCM for safe, regular, and orderly migration.
We have submitted our second voluntary report showing progress made and our commitment to a improve our policies in migration management.
We have reformed our policies, including legislations regarding combating trafficking in persons, domestic workers, and residency of foreigners.
We've launched also a national strategy 25 28 to combat human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.
This enhances protection and governance.
We also stress our commitment to the GCM.
We have adopted a balanced approach between protecting human rights and responding to the needs of the labor market.
This is in line with sustainable development and our national vision 2025, 25.
We also continue to develop our legislations and we continue to make efforts to ensure the rights of migrant workers including systems to receive complaints.
This safeguards human dignity.
We have also adopted a digital integrated system to manage labor market.
This uses evidence based policies, enhances transparency and sound decision making.
Madam President, my country adopts also an integrated approach to combat trafficking in persons.
All types of exploitation is criminalized.
We have also national referral mechanisms.
Victims receive support in line with international criteria.
We also ensure decent work through organizing contractual relations through modern contracts and inspection visits in cooperation with international organizations for ethical recruitment.
We also offer services for migrant workers, including legal aid and medical care as well as shelters.
In this regard as well, we stress the importance of international cooperation.
Various partnerships have been launched in order to organize migrant workers for an efficient management of migration.
Our approach has been humane.
We do not use detention as we use it as a last resort in order to safeguard human dignity.
We continue to work hand in hand with the touch community for a safe, regular, and humane migration.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Kuwait.
I now give the floor to the permanent representative of Mozambique.
Madam President, Mozambique view migration as a development reality.
When well managed, it strengthen resilience, regional integration, and shared prosperity.
When unmanaged, it exposes people to exploitation, trafficking, and vulnerability.
Mozambique's experience reflect this complexity.
We are a country of origin, transit, and destination facing labor mobility, displacement, and climate driven movements.
Climate change, what many now call our road of cyclones, is already reshaping mobility and livelihoods.
By the end of 2025, over 661,000 people remained internally displaced, while more than 721,000 had returned to their areas of origin, often still in fragile conditions.
These underscores are key lessons.
Durable solutions require not only return, but access to services, livelihoods, and social cohesion.
Mozambique has strengthened its national response through the national policy and strategy on internal displacement and expanded legal identity registration system.
In early 2026, over 99,000 people received documentation support.
Therefore, identity is not a formality, it is protection, access and dignity.
Mozambique has sought to translate IMRF commitments into measurable progress aligned with the 23rd agenda, particularly SDG target 10.7 on facilitating orderly, safe, regular, and responsive migration mobility.
Our efforts also contribute to SDG 16 through legal identity and civil documentation and to SDG 13 by strengthening disaster risk management and climate resilience in contexts where mobility is increasingly shaped by climate shocks.
At the time where challenges remain, data fragmentation, coordination, gaps, and need to better link a humanitarian response with long term development persists.
Looking ahead through 2026, 2030, Mozambique, we prioritize four areas, comprehensive national migration, stronger integrated migration data system, data integration of mobility into resilience and development planning, and finally, enhanced labor migration governance through regional cooperation and migrant protection.
Madam President, migration must not be governed by fear or fragmentation, but through cooperation, dignity, data, and development.
I thank you.
Mito Brigade Permanent.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Vietnam.
Madam President, excellence, ladies and gentlemen, migration continues to evolve in an increasingly complex global context, while it remains an important driver of development, persistent governance gaps and limited regular pathway continue to export migrants to heightened vulnerabilities.
At the same time, trafficking in persons and smuggling migrants are becoming increasingly complex, including emerging forms of exploitation linked to digital technologies and false criminality, including in scam centers.
In this regard, the GCM continues to provide an important framework for dialogue and practical cooperation consistent with national circumstances and priorities.
Madam President, Vietnam pursued a balanced and people centered approach to migration governance, guided by the GCM implementation plan issued in 2020, Vietnam has continued to strengthen its legal and policy framework, including legislation on identification, nationality, and combating trafficking in persons with greater emphasis on legal inclusion and the protection of vulnerable groups.
We have also expanded safe and regular migration pathways through bilateral labor cooperation, promoting fair and ethical recruitment, and reducing migration costs.
At the same time, Vietnam is advancing digital transformation in migration governance, including the development of a migration database to support evidence based policy making.
Vietnam also continues to strengthen cooperation with countries, UN agencies, and international partners in capacity building communication and awareness raising and efforts to promote skilled labor mobility and addressing trafficking in person and smuggling of migrants with special attention to women and children.
Looking ahead, it's important to expand sustainable regular pathways, strengthening cooperation, along migratory routes and enhanced coordinated and victim centered responses to trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.
Vietnam remains committed to working structively with all partners to advance implementation of the GCM.
I thank you.
I thank the representative of Vietnam and now give the floor to the distinguished observer of the Holy See.
Thank you, Madam President.
The Holy See delegation welcomes the convening of this important Second International Migration Forum.
Migrants are, first and foremost, human beings whose God given dignity as well as fundamental human rights and freedoms must remain at the core of international cooperation and migration governance.
In this context, people on the move should not be defined by their status.
They must be recognized as individuals who are entitled to seek a place where they can meet their basic needs.
In response to this call, the GCM is a genuine commitment to multilateralism and bears witness to a shared sense of responsibility on migration.
Noteworthy progress has been made in expanding regular pathways in response to evolving labor market and demographic needs, as well as on humanitarian grounds.
The introduction of regularization initiatives demonstrates a tangible commitment to responsiveness and responsibility.
However, significant gaps persist.
For this reason, it is essential to continue expanding and diversifying safe and regular pathways, particularly for family reunification, labor mobility, and education.
It is also crucial to strengthen regularization mechanisms.
While progress has also been made in coordinating approaches to safe and dignified returns, concerns persist in the context of returns to crisis affected countries and third country agreements.
Return and readmission must fully respect international law and be based on an individual assessment with due process guarantees.
Where children are involved, the best interests of the child and the right to family unity must always prevail.
It is therefore fundamental that child immigration detention must end.
While states have the sovereign right to determine their migration policies, human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants must be safeguarded.
As Pope Leo X has said, the communities that welcome them can also be a living witness to hope, one that is understood as the promise of a present and a future where the dignity of all as children of God is recognized.
Madam President, today's widespread migratory movements require renewed collective ownership and joint implementation of the GCM.
This will ensure a future of peace and respect for the dignity of all.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished observer of the Holy Sea and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Dibouti Madam La President.
Madam President, for me, it's an honor to take the floor on behalf of the Republic of Dbbouti at this second International Migration Review Forum.
Since 2022, Dibouti made a clear choice not to consider the Global Compact as a simple international commitment, but instead to view it as a concrete lever to transform its public policy.
That choice reflects unwavering political will at the highest level of the state.
That will is evidenced by deep seated reforms as well as institutional investments and sustainable multi sectoral mobilization.
This is shown by the strengthening of the strategic role of the Ministry of the interior and by the increased power of the National Migration Coordination Office, which has become a central pillar of migratory governance.
Through this mechanism, Dibbou has structured a network of 50 focal points.
They cover the entirety of key institutions, NGOs, civil society, and international partners, ensuring effective integration of migration throughout our government's work.
This migration is now integrated in cross cutting fashion in our public security, health, education, environment, and local policies.
This illustrates a simple reality.
Migration has become an aspect that structures our public action.
Significant strides have also been made in terms of data.
We've integrated migration variables in our national statistics systems.
Today, this gives us reliable disaggregated information, bolstering governance rooted in evidence and a better capacity for anticipation.
Dibouti has also increased its search and rescue capacity at sea.
We've set in place procedures that are standardized and we've established dignified ways of handling human remains.
We have also consolidated our framework to counter human trafficking and smuggling of migrants through legal reforms and stronger coordination mechanisms by developing operational capacity.
We are committed to addressing migration, but we can't do it alone.
We call for sustainable and support that isn't scatter shot, but well structured and aligned with national priorities, and support that is commensurate with our responsibilities.
We need to reiterate our shared responsibility.
The countries that are most exposed to these challenges should not be the most isolated countries.
I think The distinguished representative of Dibouti.
It's not me cutting the mic.
We have heard the last speaker in the general debate for today, and we shall continue with the general debate tomorrow at 10:00 in the morning in this very same hall.
The meeting is adjourned.