Statement of the GMG at the Meeting of the Friends of the Forum

May I on behalf of the GMG congratulate the GFMD on its significant contribution in support of the global compact process this year, under the able leadership of Germany and Morocco. [...] The GMG has a history of close engagement with Member States, civil society and social partners through engagement with the work of the Global Forum on Migration and Development, through the preparations for the New York Summit in September 2016 as well as through preparations for the thematic sessions this year. [...] Much of our effort in 2017 have been devoted to supporting the intergovernmental process and the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for International Migration, and Secretary-General of the Conference, Ms. [...] As mandated by the modalities resolution for the intergovernmental negotiations of the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration (A/RES/71/280) the GMG provided assistance to the Office of the President of the General Assembly (OPGA) with organizing the thematic sessions as well as drafted inputs to the issue briefs prepared in advance of each of the sessions by the SRSG. [...] Since I last had the honour of addressing this Forum in April on behalf of the GMG, the GMG has selected as incoming co-Chairs the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).