ON July 13 the sixth and final round of negotiations for the adoption of the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) concluded in what aims to be one of the compelling achievements of multilateralism in recent years and, indeed, a historic milestone for the protection of immigrants and refugees.
I am pleased to say that Mexico—in its role as a cofacilitator of the compact together with Switzerland—was a key player throughout the intergovernmental deliberative process that contributed to ensure the inclusion of a holistic and comprehensive approach on international migration.
Furthermore, Mexico’s leadership facilitated the successful approval of the final draft that will be formally adopted by the member-states of the United Nations in Morocco on December 2018.
Global Compact on Migration
THE GCM covers all aspects of the migration phenomena throughout its 23 objectives. The common thread that links the document is the protection and respect for the human rights of migrants, alongside the inclusion of mechanisms to abate discrimination.
Moreover, when signed, the member-states will acknowledge the positive contributions of migration while recognizing the challenges refugees and migrants face daily.
It also recognizes the interest of member-states in empowering migrants and societies to realize full inclusion and social cohesion as a measure to eliminate all forms of discrimination while promoting evidence-based public discourse to shape perceptions on migration. As a consequence, the GCM will create conditions for migrants and diasporas around the world to fully contribute to sustainable development in all countries.
Another key aspect of the compact relevant to both Mexico and the Philippines is its commitment to ensure that all migrants have proof of legal identity and adequate documentation, thus mitigating vulnerability and providing any person legal personality, regardless of their whereabouts.
In this regard, I would highlight that immigration is precisely one of the main topics discussed worldwide that brings Mexico and the Philippines together, thrusting mutual collaboration due to the relevant diaspora of citizens from both nations abroad. In this sense, an achievement of Mexico in the GCM is also an achievement for the Philippines, and vice versa.
Reason for pride
THE commitment showed by Mexico, the Philippines and other member-states during these historic negotiations is one way of paying respects to our diplomacy and diplomats that have forged the presence of Mexico around the world.
Particularly, it is one more reason to take pride in the long-standing tradition of Mexican multilateral diplomacy, which was tested and attested—namely, during Mexico’s leadership in the adoption of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean, or the Treaty of Tlatelolco in 1967, amid high tensions in the continent during the Cold War. This special achievement was recognized with the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Mexican diplomat Alfonso García Robles in 1982.
To learn more about the GCM, visit https://refugeesmigrants.un.org/migration-compact.