We are writing to share to you further updates on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. As we have previously informed partners, the thematic consultation on the global compact started this week. The first thematic consultation is on 8 – 9 May 2017 and focused on the human rights of migrants. Please find attached the issue brief for the first thematic consultation. The thematic consultation can be viewed only at the following
link: http://bit.ly/2puq3ko

We believe that the Compact will not be effective without substantial and meaningful engagement by civil society in its development. For civil society to be able fully to play its appropriate role, it must have a substantial and meaningful voice in the consultation process.

Facilitating the participation of civil society in the initial thematic consultation was one of the first tests of a commitment to a transformative and inclusive agenda. However, participation of CSOs in the consultations for the global compact was met with numerous challenges. The process has been difficult even for organisations with a presence in Geneva, and nearly impossible for groups outside of Geneva – including migrant and migrant-serving organisations – to plan to attend and engage effectively. No resources were also provided for participation of key
stakeholders including migrant organisations, in particular those from regions underrepresented in New York and Geneva. Organizations that were accepted to participate were given only short notices and informed days before the program regarding their acceptance to the thematic consultation.

Given the various issues that have surfaced, civil society organizations wrote a letter to the co-facilitators of the for the Development of the Global Compact for Migration, the Government of Switzerland and Mexico to raise serious concerns about the role envisaged for civil society in this process. Please find attached the letter for your reference.

The letter also specifies recommendations for the first consultations and the next consultations that will be organized.

Ahead of the first thematic consultation we would greatly appreciate:

• Clarity on the criteria on which requests by civil society to participate have been assessed and the purpose of limiting registrations (where this happens); who has been conducting the approval process;
• Clarity on modalities for the informal thematic consultations (how panellists are chosen, who they are, process for NGO registration to speak, process for providing written inputs). We hope that for future thematic consultations, and other consultations held as part of this process:
• Concept notes and registration information will be made available well in advance of the discussions allowing sufficient time for participants to plan travel and arrange visas (we note that the registration process for the second thematic consultation, 22-23 May, is not yet open);
• That there will be a streamlined registration process with a reduction in the information requested and also the possibility to register for multiple thematic consultations simultaneously;
• That information regarding inclusive modalities for oral and written statements will be made available sufficiently in advance.

Global Compact Webinar on 16 May 2017

We are also writing to inform you that the Global Coalition on Migration is organizing a webinar. This webinar is a first of the webinar series focused on the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The webinar with the theme, “The Global Compact on Migration: Introduction and Organizing Strategies” will be held on 16 May 2017 at 9:00 AM, New York time. To check the timezone for your city please click here: http://bit.ly/2pWNlC6

The webinar seeks to address perspectives of migrant rights organizations on:

• What the Global Compact is and why it is relevant to migrant rights
• The first thematic consultation in Geneva on the human rights of migrants, xenophobia and
  social inclusion
• Regional preparations towards 2018
• Strategies for organizing around the UN consultations and beyond

Presenters in the webinar include:

• William Gois, Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA)
• Milka Isinta, Pan-African Network in Defense of Migrant Rights (PANiDMR)
• Michele LeVoy, Platform for the International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM)
• Monami Maulik, Global Coalition on Migration (GCM)

To participate in the webinar please register in advance at the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5956322051259993091

Or you can also send us an email to inform us of your interest to participate in the webinar.

Apply to attend the Thematic Sessions and Multi-stakeholder Hearings

We would also like to share to you the schedule of Thematic Sessions and Multi-stakeholder Hearings as well as the registration dates. Please find below the information from the UN NGLS concerning registration for upcoming thematic sessions

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