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 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 report is issued after each GCM Talk to inform and support Member States and stakeholders in their implementation efforts. Practices presented during each event are considered for inclusion on the Network Hub. Furthermore, these discussions 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 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 dedicated discussion space is created on the Migration Network Hub for each Network priority and co-moderated by the Network Hub team and co-leads of the relevant workstream, with support from subject-specific experts and practitioners in the Network. A branding toolkit will ensure visual coherence and consistency across consultations.

A constantly evolving calendar of consultations will be available on the Network website (https://migrationnetwork.un.org/gcmtalks) and circulated broadly. All partners – Member States, stakeholders, the UN system, and other platforms as identified in the GCM – are welcome to submit proposals for consultations on the dedicated discussion spaces to ensure that all actors have the opportunity to contribute.

Ahead of each GCM Talk, a brief concept note, and agenda is distributed. Summaries of the GCM Talks are made available on the Network’s website. Recordings and reports for each GCM Talk are published on the Network’s website.

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