The content of this press release was authored by the Regional Network in Latin America and the Caribbean and was not reviewed by the Network's Secretariat.
On May 31st, 2023, the Regional Network on Migration in Latin America and the Caribbean, co-led by IOM and ECLAC, endorsed its Work Plan for 2023-2024. The work plan outlines four basic and three thematic priorities which reflect the most pressing migration needs and opportunities identified in Latin America and the Caribbean.
“This work plan not only reflects our region’s main priorities, it’s also an opportunity for the Regional Network to become a space to create synergies with other mechanisms, processes and organizations,” said Marcelo Pisani, Regional Director for IOM South America.
IOM’s Regional Director for Central America, North America and the Caribbean, Michele Klein Solomon, stated that, "Enhancing collaboration with all stakeholders at national and regional levels is essential on our path towards achieving the 2030 Agenda and realizing GCM principles and objectives. The UNNM's regional work plan reinforces our commitment to ensuring voices on all levels are heard, included and supported.”
The Regional Network’s Work Plan was a collaborative effort that covers the period of 2023-2024, anticipating the Second Regional Review of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), which will take place in 2024. The Plan reaffirms the commitment of the Regional Network’s members to ensure effective and coherent support to Member States for the implementation, follow-up, and review of the GCM.
The work plan details a wide range of upcoming activities including thematic workshops, trainings to support the integration of the GCM into the work of UN Country Teams (UNCT), GCM talks, meetings and dialogues that encourage a whole-of-society approach for better migration governance. Thus, the inclusion of stakeholders like local governments, national networks and civil society is key to strengthening substantive involvement, creating spaces for proposing actions and exchanging knowledge on advancing GCM implementation.
The United Nations Regional Network on Migration for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNNM-LAC) is composed of 19 agencies, funds and programs which supported the work plan’s endorsement and reassured their support for carrying out the activities it covers. The work plan was established to ensure effective, timely and coordinated system-wide support to Member States, relevant stakeholders and key partners across Latin America and the Caribbean throughout the implementation, review, and follow-up of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration.
Pamela Villalobos, Senior Social Affairs Officer for ECLAC stated that, "The UNNM work plan is realistic and ambitious, which means that to achieve it, broad participation is key. Rather than duplicating work, agencies that compose the Network can build on their diverse experiences and work together towards the same objective."
For more information, please contact:
In IOM RO San Jose: Rudi Maxwald, Senior Regional Liaison and Policy Officer, Rmaxwald@iom.int
In IOM RO Buenos Aires: Ezequiel Texidó, Regional Liaison and Policy Officer, Etexido@iom.int
In ECLAC Santiago: Pamela Villalobos, Senior Social Affairs Officer, pamela.villalobos@cepal.org
*References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).