Colombo – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka and the International Organization for Migration co-hosted the South Asia Sub-Regional Consultation on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) this week (5-6 November).

The event brought together delegates from Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka including Civil Society Organizations to share insights and align perspectives on migration and establish a cohesive regional stance that reflects the region’s shared priorities for strengthened collective contributions to the GCM.

The GCM is the first inter-governmentally negotiated agreement, prepared under the auspices of the United Nations, covering all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner. The GCM was formally endorsed by the UN General Assembly on 19 December 2018 and is driven by 23 strategic objectives.

The consultation provided a platform to explore converging nexus amongst labour migration, counter-trafficking, and climate induced displacement and culminated with the development of a sub-regional action plan. This sub-regional consultation is a precursor to the regional review on the implementation of the GCM to be held on 4-6 February 2025.

The event was attended by key dignitaries including H.E. Abdul Majeed Ibrahim, Minister of State for Homeland Security and Technology, Republic of Maldives; Mr. Marc-Andre Franche, UN Resident Coordinator, Sri Lanka; Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Aruni Wijewardane, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. S. Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration & Labour; and Ms. Kristin B. Parco, Chief of Mission of IOM Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Delivering the keynote address at the event, Ms. Aruni Wijewardane, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “Sri Lanka took an active role with the GCM from its negotiation stage and subsequently formally adopted the GCM. We are pleased to announce that the Government of Sri Lanka is interested in joining the GCM Champion Country Initiative, reinforcing our commitment to advance this important initiative to facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration.”

Migration is a key catalyst for development in South Asia. The region accounts for over 10 million migrants who regularly send remittances to countries of origin, accelerating economic growth, supporting families, and creating opportunities, making way for a better quality of life. To bolster the positive impact of migration in the sub-region, the GCM provides a global platform to further international cooperation, flexibility to select policy options to address issues facing migration, and the scope for states to pursue implementation strategies based on their capacities.

Reaffirming IOM’s commitment to the GCM, Ms. Kristin Parco, Chief of Mission of IOM Sri Lanka and the Maldives remarked, “Echoing the words of our Director General ‘We can no longer afford to treat migration as a problem to be solved rather than an opportunity to be seized’. In line with IOM’s Global Strategy for 2024-2028 and through the GCM, IOM is dedicated to building partnerships with governments, civil society networks, development partners, private sector and new allies to design, coordinate, and implement practical solutions to deliver on the promise of migration.”

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For more information, contact: Ms. Amritha Muttiah, National Program Officer, E-mail: amuttiah@iom.int