The Global Migration Group (GMG) is an inter-agency group bringing together heads of agencies to promote the wider application of all relevant international and regional instruments and norms relating to migration, and to encourage the adoption of more coherent, comprehensive and better coordinated approaches to the issue of international migration. The GMG is particularly concerned with improving the overall effectiveness of its members and other stakeholders in capitalizing upon the opportunities and responding to the challenges presented by international migration.

Briefing of United Nations Member States on the activities of the Global Migration Group. (© IOM 2007. Photo: Anke Strauss)

Terms of Reference

GMG Prioritized Terms of Reference

Background

The GMG was established by the United Nations Secretary-General in early 2006 in response to a recommendation of the Global Commission on International Migration for the establishment of a high-level inter-institutional group of agencies involved in migration-related activities. The GMG was created by building on an existing inter-agency group with a more limited membership, the Geneva Migration Group, which was established in April 2003. At present, the Group is comprised of 16 entities.

Apart from sustaining the inter-agency cooperation in the field of international migration, the Group also contributes to the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), an intergovernmental process that emerged after the General Assembly High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development in September 2006. The first meeting of the GFMD, which was held in Brussels in July 2007, dealt with questions of human capital development and labor mobility, remittances and policy coherence. The second GFMD, organized in Manila in October 2008, was devoted to the protection and empowerment of migrants. The third meeting of the GFMD took place in Athens in November 2009 and focused on the integration of migration policies into development strategies for the benefit of all. The fourth GFMD was held in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in November 2010 on the topic of "Partnerships for migration and human development: shared prosperity - shared responsibility". The 2011 GFMD, chaired by Switzerland, focused on the theme of "Taking action on Migration and Development – Coherence, Capacity and Cooperation." The thematic focus for the 2012 GFMD, chaired by Mauritius, is the following: "Enhancing the Human Development of Migrants and their Contribution to the Development of Communities and States". The 2012 GFMD Summit Meeting will be held in Pailles, Mauritius on 21-22 November 2012.

The GMG meets at regular intervals. The Chair is held on a rotating basis for periods of six months by the executive heads of its member organizations. The second half of 2012 is chaired by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Present chair

January-June 2013 - United Nations Regional Commissions, coordinated by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Former chairs

July-December 2012 - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

July-December 2011 - United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization

January-June 2011 - United Nations Children's Fund

July – December 2010 - Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

January - June 2010 - United Nations Development Programme

June - December 2009 - United Nations Institute for Training & Research

July - December 2008 - United Nations Conference on Trade & Development

January - June 2008 - United Nations Population Fund

July - December 2007 - United Nations Department of Social & Economic Affairs

January - June 2007 - International Organization for Migration

July - December 2006 - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees