RC Statement Interregional Dialogue on the Reviews of the Global Compact for Migration for Inter-State Consultation Mechanisms on Migration in Africa and the Americas

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Director of Diaspora and Migration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation & Gambians Abroad of the Government of The Gambia, Distinguished Guests, Esteemed Colleagues, All protocols observed, 

As Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in The Gambia, I am pleased to be present at your closing ceremony, following two full productive days of this Interregional Dialogue on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in Africa and the Americas. I am particularly honored that The Gambia has hosted this first event, as a GCM Champion country, bringing together the two continents, highlighting the various similarities we have among them, inclusive of migration trends. Through these insightful presentations and engaging discussions, you have shared knowledge and best practices on Inter-State Consultation Mechanisms on Migration (ISCMs) contributions from both Africa and the Americas. This collective effort has laid a strong foundation for building a stronger future for migration governance.

 Today's discussions exemplified the power of collaboration. Members of the UN Network on Migration, Stakeholders, representatives of ISCMs, have learned from each other's experiences and exchanged valuable insights on the upcoming GCM reviews. This exchange strengthens the foundation for our engagement at the upcoming Regional Reviews for Africa and Latin America & the Caribbean. Our regions face distinct migration patterns – Africa's dominant intra-regional movement stands in contrast to the emerging trend of African migration through the Americas. This underscores the importance of working together to find regional opportunities to global challenges, and to make migration work for all.

 Our collective goal is clear: to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the GCM's footprint across Africa and the Americas to co-create a powerful joint declaration that will significantly contribute to the GCM regional reviews. This requires continuous collaboration, open communication, and a shared commitment to building a stronger future for migration. Let's not forget the human stories behind the statistics – migration is about people, their aspirations, and their journeys and has the potential to be a driver of development, economic growth and positive change. 

I thank you for your engagement and contributions throughout these two days, which I understand have been very engaging. I look forward to reading in further detail on the outcome documents, noting the importance that they have for the contributions to the respective GCM regional reviews. Collectively, our voices together can make a difference to effective migration governance as no state alone can manage migration. Migration, at its core, is multisectoral and only through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach can migration be effectively managed. Noting that migration is not a problem to be solved, but one to be managed to harness the full benefits of migration for countries of origin, transit and destination, and the migrant themselves. With renewed purpose and a commitment to working together, we can ensure that migration benefits individuals and enriches our societies.

 I would like to thank the team from IOM and OHCHR in The Gambia, respective IOM and OHCHR Regional Offices, and headquarters who I know have worked tirelessly over the past months to support this important initiative. Importantly, I would like to thank you all once again for taking the time to be here in person, online and part of these interactive discussions over the past two days. I do hope this will be only the beginning. Your commitment to migration governance around the world is truly commendable, and plays a vital role in ensuring safe, orderly, and regular migration for all as outlined in the GCM and the Sustainable Development Goals. I thank you and wish you safe journey for those returning home.