Top officials in Morocco to adopt Global Compact for Migration

Top politicians and officials will convene on Monday in the Moroccan city of Marrakech to formally adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.

During the two-day Marrakech Intergovernmental Conference, the participants will discuss means to better manage international migration, address its challenges and strengthen migrants' rights while contributing to sustainable development.

The latest Global Trends report by the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR said that around 68.5 million people were displaced in 2017, Xinhua news agency reported.

Among the displaced, refugees who have fled their countries to escape conflict and persecution totalled 25.4 million, 2.9 million more than that of 2016.

The latest data from UN migration agency International Organization for Migration (IOM) shows that so far this year, 3,323 people have died or gone missing on migratory routes across the globe, mostly in the Mediterranean Sea, where thousands continue to attempt to cross into mainland Europe, mainly from Africa and Asia.

Agreed upon by UN member states under the auspices of the UN General Assembly last July, the Global Compact sets out a common understanding, shared responsibilities and unity of purpose regarding migration, making it work for all.

The compact recognises that a comprehensive approach is needed to optimize the overall benefits of migration, while addressing risks and challenges for individuals and communities in countries of origin, transit and destination.

With this comprehensive approach, this agreement aims to facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration, while reducing the incidence and negative impact of irregular migration through international cooperation and a combination of measures put forward in this Global Compact.

The compact lays out a cooperative framework comprised of 23 objectives, each one with a commitment and a range of actions considered to be relevant policy instruments and best practices.

The Global Compact calls for the creation of the International Migration Review Forum, which will serve as the primary intergovernmental global platform for member states to discuss and share progress on the implementation of all aspects of the compact.

The Marrakech Conference will also see the official launch of the Migration Network, by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

This body will ensure effective and coherent support to the implementation of the Global Compact, with the IOM taking the leading role.

--IANS

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