GCM Talks

In February 2023, the United Nations Network on Migration launched a series of global and regional consultations and peer-learning exchanges – GCM Talks – to support Member States, the United Nations system, and stakeholders to continue discussions on how best to implement the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM).

The GCM Talks take place mainly at global and regional levels. Where relevant, GCM Talks can be organized at the national level. Their purpose is to encourage an exchange of ideas, identifying key challenges or issues which require attention, initiating pledges and identifying practices for inclusion on the Hub. 

The GCM Talks are an integral part of the activities of the Network, including its workstreams and feed into the preparation for the forthcoming Regional Reviews, and the next biennial report of the UN Secretary-General, due in 2024. The GCM Talks are aligned with the Network’s priorities, as listed in the Workplan 2022 – 2024.

The GCM Talks at the global level can discuss the full range of issues covered by the GCM, whether on demand by Member States or those reflected in the Network's workplan. Particular attention will be given to the mandates emerging from the Progress Declaration of the first International Migration Review Forum, namely:

1. developing actionable recommendations on strengthening cooperation on missing migrants and providing humanitarian assistance to migrants in distress; and
2. proposing a limited set of GCM indicators to better gauge progress in implementing the GCM.

Relevant Workstreams, supported by the Network secretariat, lead the organization of global GCM Talks.

As acknowledged in the GCM, most international migration takes place within regions; it is therefore crucial to provide a space for governments, United Nations entities and stakeholders to engage, inspire and learn from each other and share examples of GCM implementation within regions, alongside discussions at global level.

The GCM Talks are central to the Network’s support to the Regional Reviews and serve to provide inclusive and expert inputs to all relevant subregional, regional and cross-regional processes, platforms and organisations as they review the implementation of the GCM within their respective regions.

A summary report is issued after each GCM Talk to inform and support Member States and stakeholders in their implementation efforts. The summary reports are available here. Practices and resources already on the Hub will be shared with the participants before each event and will be made available on the workstreams’ dedicated webpages. Practices presented during each event are considered for inclusion on the Network Hub. Pledges already available on the GCM pledges dashboard will also be shared with participants prior to the event. Pledge intentions voiced during the event will be followed up by members of the workstreams.

Furthermore, these discussions, including existing practices and pledges inform the work of the relevant Network workstreams or, at the regional level, support the preparations for the Regional Reviews.

Consultations can be held online and/or in-person. Each GCM Talk last 90 minutes. Interventions from the floor and a Q&A follow a panel of speakers made up of subject-relevant experts and practitioners.

The consultations can be organized “for Member States only” and will be held under the Chatham House Rule. When relevant, a GCM Youth Talk, limited to participants below 30 years old, can be organized. In this case, we encourage stronger social media outreach.

The hybrid format for the exchange allows for the participation of government practitioners from the region, as well as directly impacted communities and experts working with migrants and authorities on the identified priorities. Organisers seek to ensure migrant inclusion and gender balance in the discussion.

A branding toolkit will ensure visual coherence and consistency across consultations.

All partners – Member States, stakeholders, the UN system, and other platforms as identified in the GCM – are welcome to submit proposals for GCM Talks on Network’s priorities here.

Ahead of each GCM Talk, a brief concept note, and agenda is distributed and published on the workstream’s webpage. Recordings and summary reports for each GCM Talk are published on the Network’s website.

A constantly evolving calendar of consultations is available on the Network website and circulated broadly.

For any questions, please contact the secretariat of the Network (unmignet@iom.int).