Show Up, Stand Up, Speak Up: PH commits to implement GCM through Migration Fund
Permanent Representative Evan P. Garcia participates in the virtual panel discussion “The GCM Capacity Building Mechanism: Implementing the Recommendations of the Secretary-General’s Report” on 17 February 2022. (Geneva PM photo)
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 21 February 2021 – The Philippines reiterated its commitment to implement the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), especially through the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund or the Migration MPTF, which the Philippines actively supports as donor, recipient, and founding member of the Steering Committee.
Permanent Representative Ambassador Evan P. Garcia called on the international community to “show up, stand up, speak up” for migrants at the International Migration Review Forum 2022 (IMRF), during the virtual panel discussion “The GCM Capacity Building Mechanism: Implementing the Recommendations of the Secretary-General’s Report”, which focused on the GCM’s capacity building mechanism (CBM), which includes the Migration MPTF and the Migration Network Hub and its Repository of Practices on 17 February 2022.
Highlighting the Philippines’ role as donor and beneficiary of the Migration MPTF, Ambassador Garcia stated that “the Philippines has always believed that engagement in the multilateral space is one where stakeholders reinforce each other and find balance through meaningful, mutually-beneficial partnership.”
Ambassador Garcia briefed the audience on the on-going Migration MPTF joint program with the Philippines “Bridging Recruitment to Reintegration in Migration Governance: Philippines” or BRIDGE, which aims to ensure that initiatives on fair and ethical recruitment and reintegration are evidence-based, gender-responsive, and coordinated, as well as to translate these into policies and incorporate them in the migration cycle. “The BRIDGE project focuses on the needs and protection of Overseas Filipinos workers throughout the migration cycle from recruitment, employment, to return and reintegration,” Ambassador Garcia said.
“We are confident that the Migration MPTF plays a key role in the implementation of the aspirations of the GCM,” Ambassador Garcia asserted. He then urged for stronger international cooperation and effective collaboration among governments and other stakeholders in order to fulfill the goals of the GCM. He also emphasized that a crucial part of the work ahead is to rectify negative narratives on migration, which increases the vulnerability of migrants all over the world.
Among other panelists were distinguished experts on migration, including Camilla Hagstroem (Deputy Head of Unit, Migration & Forced Displacement, Directorate-General for International Partnerships of the European Commission), Carolina Gottardo (Executive Director, International Detention Coalition), and Frank Laczko (Director, Global Migration Data Analysis Centre). Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General of the International Organization for Migration, delivered the welcome remarks, and Mónica Ferro, Director of the Geneva Office of the United Nations Population Fund, moderated the discussions.
The panel discussion is part of the series of events and activities during the 2022 Migration Week hosted by the United Nations Network on Migration. The Migration Week carries the theme “Cooperation and Partnership: Implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration” and runs from 14-18 February 2022. END