We are pleased to share with you the Zero Draft of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration. The Zero Draft can be seen on this link (http://refugeesmigrants.un.org/sites/default/files/180205_gcm_zero_draft_final.pdf) and we have also
attached it in this email.

The Zero Draft is divided into:

Preamble

The preamble recalls the core international human rights treaties, international conventions, protocols, commitments, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Charter of the United Nations (UN) ; recalls the advances made through the International High Level Dialogues (HLDs) on International Migration and Development in 2006 and 2013 and the Global Forum on Migration and Development which paved the way for the 2 Global Compacts—for Refugees and for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration; recognizing the report of the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) on International Migration, “Making Migration Work for All”; the Global Compact is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Addis Ababa Action
Agenda, and informed by the Declaration of the HLD on International Migration; The Global Compact presents a non-legally binding, cooperative framework building on the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants

Vision and Guiding Principles

This part of the Zero Draft sets out the Member States’ common understanding, shared responsibilities, and unity of purpose regarding migration. The Global Compact rests on a set of guiding principles: people-centered; international cooperation; national sovereignty; rule of law and due process; sustainable development; human rights; gender-responsive; child-sensitive; whole-of-government approach, and; whole-of-society approach.

Cooperative Framework and Objectives (with Actionable Commitments)

Recalling and building on the commitments in the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, they have laid out a cooperative framework comprise of 22 objectives with actionable commitments, implementation, follow-up and review. Below are the 22 Objectives for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration:

1. Collect and utilize accurate and disaggregated data as a basis for evidence-based policies
2. Minimize the adverse drivers and structural factors that compel people to leave their country of origin
3. Provide adequate and timely information at all stages of migration
4. Provide all migrants with proof of legal identity, proper identification and documentation
5. Enhance availability and flexibility of pathways for regular migration
6. Facilitate fair and ethical recruitment and safeguard conditions that ensure decent work
7. Address and reduce vulnerabilities in migration
8. Save lives and establish coordinated international efforts on missing migrants
9. Strengthen the transnational response to smuggling of migrants
10. Prevent and combat trafficking in persons in the context of international migration
11. Manage borders in an integrated, secure and coordinated manner
12. Strengthen procedures and mechanisms for status determination
13. Use migration detention only as a last resort and work towards alternatives
14. Enhance consular protection, assistance and cooperation throughout the migration cycle
15. Provide access to basic social services for migrants
16. Empower migrants and societies to realize full inclusion and social cohesion
17. Eliminate all forms of discrimination and promote fact-based public discourse to shape perceptions of migration
18. 18.Invest in skills development and facilitate recognition of skills, qualifications and competences
19. 19.Create conditions for migrants and diasporas to fully contribute to sustainable development in all countries
20. Promote faster, safer and cheaper transfer of remittances and foster financial inclusion of migrants
21. Cooperate in facilitating dignified and sustainable return, readmission and reintegration
22. Establish mechanisms for the portability of social security entitlements and earned benefits

The implementation discusses 1) how concerted efforts are required at global, regional, national, and sub-national levels, including a coherent UN system, for effective implementation; 2) to take necessary steps to bring their national actions and cooperation frameworks at all levels in line with the objectives and actionable commitments; 3) establishing a capacity-building mechanism that allows Member States, UN and other stakeholders to contribute to technical, financial, and human resources; committing to implement the Global Compact in cooperation and partnership with different actors and stakeholders; 4) appreciating the consultations with the UN Secretary General to ensure that the UN systems is fully positioned to respond promptly and effectively, with requests from Member States, and; 5) recognizing the role of State-led processes and platforms at different levels, regional consultative process (RCP), GFMD, and other foras and platforms

The Follow-Up and Review discusses how to track and monitor the progress made in implementing the Global Compact in the Framework of the UN. Specifically, the HLD on International Migration which takes place every fourth session of the General Assembly, to be repurposed and renamed “International Migration Review Forum” (IMRF). It shall serve as the primary global platform to discuss and share progress of the implementation. In addition, each region will convene a Regional Migration Review Forum (RMRF) to take place in 2020, 2024, and 2028, organized by each of the United Nations Regional Economic Commissions, in close consultation with relevant regional organizations. Lastly, they recognize the important contributions of State-ked initiatives on international migration such as the GFMD, RCPs, and others to contribute to the IMRF and RMRF by providing data, evidence, best practices, innovative approaches, an recommendations as they relate to the implementation of the Global Compact.

Sincerely,
MFA Secretariat