As a follow up to the previous circular we sent on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, we would like to share with you further updates on this. We would like to share with you a calendar developed by our partner, the Global Coalition on Migration. They have collated the relevant dates of meetings and consultations in relation to the global compact, including the draft modalities which you may also see below. We have also noted relevant dates on the last page of the calendar for easy reference.

• April/May 2017 – human rights of all migrants, social inclusion, cohesions and all forms of discrimination, including racism, xenophobia and intolerance
• October 2017 – irregular migration and regular pathways, including decent work, labor mobility, recognition of skills and qualifications
• June 2017 – international cooperation and governance of migration
• July 2017 – contributions of migrants and the diaspora to all dimensions of sustainable development
• May 2017 – addressing drivers of migration
• September 2017 – smuggling of migrants, trafficking in persons and contemporary forms of slavery

We are also sharing the modalities resolution (attached) which was adopted in New York this 16-17 February during the 15th Coordination Meeting on International Migration. The meeting aimed to take stock of progress made in implementing the migration-related commitments of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This is one of the meetings held for a substantive preparation of the adoption the global compact in 2018. Below is the link for more information on the meeting (the report is yet to be uploaded in the website). This includes papers contributed by different UN agencies as well as statements from civil society.

http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/events/coordination/15/index.shtml

As mentioned in the previous circular, the Global Compact was discussed in 2016 GFMD. The global compact will also be one of the agenda of the 2017 GFMD which will be held on 28-30 June. The GFMD Civil Society Days will be held on 29 June and 1 July, while the Common Space will be held on 30 June.

In preparation for this, a series of meetings are being held, one of which is the GFMD Dialogue on the Global Compact for safe, orderly and regular migration a few weeks ago to continue the exchange started in Dhaka on the role the GFMD should take in the process and the contributions it could make to the global compact.

In line with this, the International Organization on Migration (IOM) now a related organization to the United Nations (UN), is tasked to extend technical and policy expertise and jointly service the negotiations with the UN in relation to the Global Compact. IOM has established a dedicated civil society liaison function to support the development of the global compact and work with Civil Society. IOM will be leading the national and regional consultations on the global compact, including civil society consultations. MFA will give you updates on the national and regional consultations in Asia once information is available.

We would also like to share with you that Peter Sutherland, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Migration has released his report to the UN Secretary General on the agenda for action based on his 11 years’ experience as the Special Representative. The report was presented during the 19 September Summit on Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants in which the Global Migration Compact was also announced. This report, attached in this email, consists of 1) an introduction to what has been happening, what can happen, and possible ways that States can move forward 2) agenda for action which are the States’ commitments between and among the States, migrant workers, and other stakeholders; 5 policy priorities 3) recommendations. It would be good to go through this document and see how your respective countries follow through with their commitment as well as how civil society can work with and around the Global Migration Compact, which we have also shared previously. We also look forward to your thoughts on this.

As we receive more information on the progress of the discussions we will be sharing them with all of you.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

MFA Secretariat