GFMD Recommendations
There are several types of concrete outcomes and impacts, ranging from policy changes at national, regional and international levels; specific recommendations taken further by governments or other stakeholders; projects and initiatives at national, bilateral or multilateral level emerging from GFMD discussions; to new partnerships between governments and between governments and other stakeholders.
Being non-operational in nature, the GFMD does not implement the concrete action proposals and recommendations it produces. Most outcomes are addressed directly to participating States which may take these forward on their own, at the national, regional and international levels.
But some outcomes require multilateral follow-up action governments which may decide to implement in cooperation with operational international agencies -in particular the members of the Global Migration Group (GMG)-, or with non-governmental experts.
In addition, the two GFMD Ad-hoc Follow-up Working Groups of Governments, endorsed in 2008 in Manila and approved during the Greek presidency in 2009, constitute a new useful and informal mechanism for interested governments to keep abreast of GFMD outcomes, discuss follow-up actions and agree on how and by whom these could be taken forward for implementation.
Information about these outcomes is of strategic importance, since it will determine the degree to which the Forum usefully contributes to the creation of more effective policies at different levels. It is also important for the viability of the Forum itself.
GFMD participating governments and observers are encouraged to inform the GFMD Support Unit about actions they are undertaking as a follow-up to GFMD discussions, for these to be posted on the GFMD website. At each of its meetings, the GFMD could then also devote an information session on such activities, whereas the Friends of the Forum could in between GFMD meetings provide some space to share information on the implementation of certain outcomes.
For summaries of the recommendations of each GFMD since 2007 see:
GFMD Follow Up Actions
It is difficult to gauge the achievements of a new and complex global process like the GFMD. After 3.5 years, this first-ever global consultative process is still in its infancy, but has begun to show results at a number of levels. As an international forum, it has focused the attention of governments and international and regional organizations and processes on the most critical issues related to migration and development, and to migrant protection and empowerment. As a process, it has developed a unique style of cooperation through its interactive and government team-based method of preparing and conducting meetings.
More specifically, the GFMD meetings have yielded policy proposals and outcomes, which have been taken forward by participating governments, international agencies and experts, resulting in changes in policy, legislation and institutions in a number of countries, and tying migration and development more closely. These outcomes have also strengthened the continuity and thematic coherence between meetings.
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For summaries of the follow-up on recommendations and outcomes of each GFMD since 2007 see:
