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GCM Guiding Principles

Sustainable development

The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) is based on a set of cross-cutting and interdependent guiding principles. This page provides resources for the guiding principle of Sustainable Development:

“The Global Compact is rooted in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and builds upon its recognition that migration is a multidimensional reality of major relevance for the sustainable development of countries of origin, transit and destination, which requires coherent and comprehensive responses. Migration contributes to positive development outcomes and to realizing the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially when it is properly managed. The Global Compact aims to leverage the potential of migration for the achievement of all Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the impact this achievement will have on migration in the future” (GCM, 2018: para. 15)

Migration is a cross-cutting issue, relevant to all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Out of the 17 Goals, 10 contain targets and indicators that align with migration or mobility. The GCM recognizes that when properly managed, migration contributes to positive development outcomes. The GCM’s 23 objectives, commitments and subsequent actions therefore provide a robust framework to support governments and other actors to achieve the migration dimensions of the SDGs. The adoption of the GCM and the creation of the UN Network on Migration presents a significant opportunity to leverage the positive relationship between migration and development to achieve the 2030 Agenda. This in turn will ensure that migration is an integral aspect of all development efforts.

Sustainable Development in the text of the Global Compact

The guiding principle of Sustainable Development is also mentioned in the following sections of the GCM:

Preamble, para. 2 and 6
Vision and Guiding Principles, para. 8, 10, 12 and 15
Objective 1, para. 17(d): Collect and utilize accurate and disaggregated data as a basis for evidence -based policies
Objective 2, para. 18(a)(b)(d): Minimize the adverse drivers and structural factors that compel people to leave their country of origin
Objective 19, para. 35c): Create conditions for migrants and diasporas to fully contribute to sustainable development in all countries
Objective 20, para. 36(a): Promote faster, safer and cheaper transfer of remittances and foster financial inclusion of migrants
Objective 21, para. 37(h): Cooperate in facilitating safe and dignified return and readmission, as well as sustainable reintegration
Objective 23, para. 39(b): Strengthen international cooperation and global partnerships for safe, orderly and regular migration
Implementation, para. 42
Follow-up and Review, para. 49

The Global Compact for Migration (GCM) report is available in AR, ZH, EN, FR, RU, ES.