DFA Convenes Inter-Agency Workshop on Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration

Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola delivers her welcome remarks at the opening of the GCM Workshop

19 September 2017 MANILA – The DFA convened the Inter-Agency Workshop on the Global Compact for Sale, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) on August 23 to 24 at the Diamond Hotel, Manila.

The GCM is one of the two compacts mandated by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) when it adopted the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants on 19 September 2016.

The GCM is envisioned to produce: (1) actionable commitments for safe, orderly and regular migration; (2) a means of implementation of the commitments; and (3) a method of review of the implementation of commitments.

The workshop was conducted to jumpstart an inclusive process of consultations in preparation for the negotiation for the GCM, which is expected to commerce early next year. The negotiations for the GCM are targeted to be finished by September 2018, in time for the high level segment of the UNGA where leaders and other government representatives are expected to deliberate upon and approve a negotiated text for a global compact on migration. END

Several government agencies took part in the event, including the DOLE (POEA, OWWA, national reintegration Center Office), TESDA, DOH, DOJ – Inter Agency Council Against Trafficking, Commission on Filipino Overseas, DSWD, BSP and NEDA. All heads of Philippine Foreign Service Post in the Middle East and North Africa, and representatives from the Philippine Missions in Geneva and New York, OUMWA, and UNIO participated in the event.