Global Forum on Migration and Development

162 Countries Attend the GFMD 2011 Concluding Debate; Mauritius Takes Over from Switzerland as GFMD 2012 Chair

05 December 2011, Geneva — Switzerland welcomed over 700 representatives from 162 UN Member States, 37 GFMD Observers, and varied civil society groups when the GFMD 2011 Concluding Debate opened on 1 December 2011 in Geneva.

Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga of the Federal Department of Justice and Police opened the GFMD 2011 Concluding Debate. Ambassador Eduard Gnesa, Swiss Special Ambassador for International Cooperation in Migration, chaired both the GFMD 2011 preparatory process that began in December 2010 as well as the GFMD 2011 Concluding Debate in Geneva.

In her keynote address, Federal Councilor Sommaruga underscored the fact that “migration is never just good or bad” – it brings economic benefits but also presents some challenges. Nonetheless, it was in the national interest of Switzerland to chair the GFMD in 2011, in order to seek partnerships from across the globe that can help the country address these challenges. She emphasized that national interests can be better put forward through international cooperation, than through stand-alone national policies. But the protection and the defense of human dignity has to be at the heart of migration policies. In this regard, she underlined the importance of the GFMD as an “open and outcome-oriented dialogue led by a true spirit of partnership.”

The opening ceremony also featured a video message from the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who counted on the GFMD to find ways to leverage migration for the common good, by helping migrants move more safely and legally, by protecting their rights, and by encouraging their contributions to their home and host countries. He believed that the GFMD has already made a difference by advancing the cost of remittances, thus, empowering migrants and making it possible for them to come home. He enjoined all participating States to build on the achievements of the GFMD in order to make the most of the 2nd High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development in 2013, and urged them to continue to find ways to make migration work for development for the sake of our collective future.

Mr. William Gois, Chair of the GFMD 2011 Civil Society Days (CSD) held in Geneva on 29-30 November, delivered the Statement of the Civil Society Days to the plenary. The statement outlined the key points that were discussed and recommendations made by various CS groups during the two day deliberations preceding the government meeting.

After the opening ceremony, the government-civil society “Common Space” was held, with BBC anchorwoman Ms. Zeinab Badawi as moderator. A panel comprised of representatives from governments, civil society and international organizations debated the topic, “Looking at the Big Picture: Demographics, Youth (Un-) Employment, Development and Migration”.

Two rounds of simultaneous Working Sessions ensued in the afternoon of December 1 and in the morning of December 2. These Working Sessions discussed the highlights of the 14 thematic meetings organized around the globe this year under the framework of the GFMD. Thereafter, the Special Sessions on the GFMD Assessment, the GFMD Platform for Partnerships and the Relationship between the GFMD and Non-governmental Partners were simultaneously held.

Handover Ceremony from Switzerland to Mauritius

The Concluding Session on December 2 brought back together all the participants in plenary to listen to the reports of the three Cluster Rapporteurs, Bangladesh, the United States of America and France. Sir Peter Sutherland, UN Secretary-General Special Representative (SRSG) for International Migration and Development then presented the report on the Special Session on the GFMD Assessment, after which the Swiss GFMD Chair, Ambassador Eduard Gnesa, delivered his concluding remarks.

Ambassador Gnesa then solemnly handed over the GFMD Chairmanship to the Government of the Republic of Mauritius as incoming GFMD 2012 Chair, represented by Mr. Ali Mansoor, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance. In his statement, Mr. Mansoor shared the main elements of the GFMD 2012 work program, which will begin with a survey in December among the Friends of the Forum on possible themes for next year, to be followed by informal brainstorming meetings with the governments, civil society, and experts from international organizations in January 2012. He stressed that Mauritius will aim to seek consensus among GFMD stakeholders on the work program of the GFMD 2012.

The GFMD 2011 Concluding Debate was officially closed by State Secretary Peter Maurer of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland.

Download:

• Speeches, GFMD Concluding Debate
• Conference Documents