12 – 13 November 2009

Global Migration Group (GMG) Presentation

at the 48th session of the UNITAR Board of Trustees Meeting

2A little history

1994: Program of Action formulated by International Conference on Population and Development

2002: Doyle Commission - how to Strengthen the UN’s Role on Migration Issues

December 2003: Global Commission on International Migration (Brazil, Morocco, Philippines, Sweden, Switzerland + 14 others)

2006: GMG established in response to recommendation from GCIM Inter-agency coordinating mechanism

Principals level (Heads of Agencies) and technical level (Focal Points working group)

6 month rotating chairmanship

2007: First Global Forum on Migration and Development 2007: UNITAR GMG membership.

Why? Among the 1st to offer training (400 beneficiaries/year from 35 countries), policy discussions, body of knowledge.

314 GMG Members

4What does the GMG do?

What does the GMG do?

Exchange information and expertise to improve inter-agency cooperation on migration issues

Develop compendia of its members’ work and experience, showcasing effective policies and practices

Produce joint outputs: GMG publication on Migration and Human Rights, GMG Fact Sheets on the Impacts of the global economic crisis on international migration

Contribute to major international initiatives (HLD, GFMD)

5UNITAR and the GMG

UNITAR Leadership of GMG

GMG “leadership crisis” in early 2009

Heads of major GMG agencies call on UNITAR to assume chairmanship

UNITAR starts chairmanship on 1 June 2009, supported by NY-GVA based team of four

UNITAR raises US$ 50,000 in support from the MacArthur Foundation

6GMG Challenges

Assessment: The Challenges

Little interest and commitment by GMG Principals due to:

Excessive focus on procedural issues and GFMD process.

Discrepancies in terms of agency involvement (capacities, expertise, resources) in migration issues.

Lack of political support from Member States, criticism from SRSG.

Convoluted mandate (ToRs) without clear focus.

No independent resource base and institutional support structure.

Result: Lack of joint vision and little GMG visibility

7Challenges

UNITAR’s Vision

Foster a sense of purpose

within the Group

Adopt clear rules of

engagement

Enhance GMG

voice and visibility

8Strategy

Fostering a sense of purpose

Engagement of Principals around the substantive focus on the impacts of the economic crisis on migration

GMG Principals RetreatHeld on 9 October 2009 in Menthon Saint-Bernard 8 Principals + all members at observer level Show of commitment + call for “clever” leadership Discussion on migration and the economic crisisStrategic outlook at engagement with inter-governmental

fora and other stakeholders Endorsement of working methods and joint outputs

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Identifying GMG Priorities

no. 1 priority: Exchange information to improve inter-agency cooperation.

no. 2 priority: Collaborate on research, data collection and analysis.

no. 3 priority: Establish a comprehensive and coherent approach to international migration.

no. 4 priority: Strengthen a principled approach to migration governance and management.

no. 5 priority: Contribute to major initiatives of GMGmembers and the international community.

no. 6 priority: Identifying critical issues and best practices related to international migration and development.

Fostering a sense of purpose

Strategy

10

Adopting clear rules of engagement

Creation and adoption of an annual workplan

Coordination between successive chairmanships through Troika of chairs

Clearly defined responsibilities of the chair and the members of the Group

Closer relationship with the SRSG

One annual Principals Retreat, only high-level participation

Strategy

11

Enhancing GMG voice and visibility

GMG participation in GFMD III

Joint statement in the opening Magna session

Joint press conference in Athens

Fact Sheets on migration and the economic crisis

Revamped website: www.globalmigrationgroup.org

Strategy

12Outlook

Next steps

Close collaboration with UNDP on:

Implementation of Workplan in 2010

Joint public conference in 2010

Communication strategy for the GMG

Dissemination of the 2009 HDR messages

Further coordination in the context of GFMD IV