Migration Week is a biennial umbrella event hosted by the United Nations Network on Migration (Network) that aims to promote dialogue on migration-related issues, under the framework of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). 

It brings together a wide range of partners – Member States, stakeholders and the United Nations system – to consolidate and strengthen commitment towards implementing the GCM at the regional, national and local levels. 

The first Migration Week, held in February 2022, attracted over 3,000 participants in more than 20 events on all continents.  

The theme for the 2024 Migration Week is Implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration: Progress and Challenges. Migration Week invites the Network's partners, to hold or participate in events or activities with the aim of fostering collaboration, innovation, and understanding to further implementation of the GCM. 

This concept note outlines the objectives, and potential activities that can be organized by the Network’s partners. It also provides a non-exhaustive list of side-events that could be organized. 

Implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration: Progress and Challenges

29 January – 2 February 2024

The primary objectives of Migration Week 2024 are to:

Raise awareness: Increase global awareness of the GCM, its objectives, and the importance of safe, orderly, and regular migration.

Mobilize support: Galvanize political commitment from Member States and stakeholders to implement the GCM through concrete actions and new pledges, as well as to engage proactively in the Regional Reviews.

Foster dialogue: Facilitate meaningful discussions and exchanges among policymakers, experts, civil society organizations, and migrants themselves to address migration challenges and explore innovative solutions.

Migration Week 2024 can include a wide array of events, such as:

High-level events at global, regional or national levels: Convene a high-level event where political leaders, representatives of the UN system, and key stakeholders can share their commitments and progress towards implementing the GCM.

Policy dialogues: Organize policy dialogues focusing on key aspects of the Global Compact or the Network's priorities. These dialogues would provide a platform for exchanging good practices, challenges, and innovative solutions.

Stakeholder consultations: Facilitate consultations with civil society organizations, migrants' associations, and other stakeholders as listed in the GCM to gather inputs and perspectives on the implementation of the Global Compact, ensuring inclusivity and diversity of voices, ahead of the Regional Reviews.

Knowledge sharing sessions: Conduct workshops, seminars, and training sessions to share knowledge, research findings, and evidence-based practices related to the GCM.

Exhibitions and cultural events: Showcase the contributions of migrants through exhibitions, film screenings, art displays, and cultural performances, promoting social cohesion and combating stereotypes.

Media engagement: Launch a media campaign to raise public awareness about migration, counter misinformation, and highlight stories of migrants, fostering a more balanced narrative.

Side events and parallel activities: Encourage Member States, the UN system, and stakeholders to organize side events, parallel conferences, and workshops to explore specific migration-related topics of interest and engage a broader range of participants.

Partners can inform the Network secretariat of upcoming events via email: unmignet@iom.int.

Each event will be promoted on social media by highlighting key findings or practices identified during these events. Organizers and participants are encouraged to promote events using #MigrationWeek and tagging the Network's main account (Twitter) @UNMigNetwork.