The New York launch of the Start-Up Fund for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration: The Migration MPTF was held on Tuesday 16th July, at UNICEF Danny Kaye Lobby. The event was co-hosted by the chairs of the Friends of Migration Group and the UN Network on Migration and was attended by over 150 participants from UN Member States, Civil Society Organizations, and the UN System. 

After a welcome by Ms. Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, participants heard High-Level remarks from H.E. Mrs. Epsy Campbell Barr, Vice-President of the Republic of Costa Rica; H.E. Martha Delgado, Deputy Minister for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights of Mexico; Deputy Secretary General H.E. Ms. Amina Mohammed; and H.E. Christoph Heusgen, Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to the UN.

A short panel discussion moderated by Mr. António Vitorino, DG of IOM followed. Participants included Mr. Matthew Rycroft, Permanent Secretary at the UK Department for International Development; Mr. Guy Ryder, Director General of the International Labour Organization; Ms. Irena Vojáčková-Sollorano, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkey; and Cheryl Perera, founder of OneChild and migrant representative. 

All participants welcomed the Fund as key to supporting Member States and fostering joint action in implementing the Global Compact for Migration (GCM). They noted that through the fund, states can get closer to realizing the SDGs and maximizing the benefits of well-managed migration for all. Both the United Kingdom and Germany announced pledges, and encouraged others to join them in doing so.

Attendees then enjoyed a brief reception before the close of the event.

Please find a link to the Press Release issued following the launch here.