UNRC Remarks at the Multi-stakeholder Consultation in the Philippines for the Second Asia-Pacific Regional Review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) Implementation

Undersecretary for Migration Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Eduardo Jose De Vega

Regional Director for IOM Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Sarah Lou Arriola

Heads of UN Agencies and members of the Philippine UN Network on Migration 

Colleagues from the UN Country Team

Representatives from civil society organizations, academe, faith-based organizations, migrant groups, and the parliament

It was in 2022 when we last conducted a review of the GCM together with stakeholders from the non-government sectors. The outputs from those were eventually included in the Philippine Submission of the Voluntary National Review (VNR) ahead of the first IMRF. 

This means that your participation is a driving force in the global discussion on migration governance.

The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration is our joint commitment to ensure that we can address the multifaceted challenges and opportunities concerning migration head on. 

It is our crossroads as we map out strategies and approaches that will safeguard the rights and welfare of migrants across the globe. 

This is true for Filipino migrants whose remittances continue to contribute to the economic growth of the country. In 2023, remittance inflows remain at a 3% rate due to the constant expansion of host countries where most OFWs are situated[1].

The emerging trafficking trend in the Philippines (and the rest of Southeast Asia) also pose a threat as risks for slavery and labor migration continue to evolve.

It is for this reason that we approach our review of the GCM in a collaborative and coordinated manner among countries. Migrant welfare concerns transcend borders and other issues brought about by climate change and conflict are ever expanding.

We commend the Philippine government for setting an example among countries in advocating the GCM. If you recall two years ago, we have submitted four pledges which include:

• Capacity building for non-GCM champion countries
• A more direct articulation of GCM in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028[2]
• Multi-stakeholder consultations for the Philippine VNR which is already completed thanks to the valuable outputs that are added in the annex of the VNR.
• A US$ 50,000 contribution to the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund as well as other pledges from the PH, including those from the Network
• Other stakeholders from the Philippines submitted pledges, including the Philippine UN Network on Migration. 
• We also acknowledge the Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA), Fair Training Center (FTC), and Scalabrini Migration Center (SMC) for submitting their pledges.

Today’s event is a key opportunity to refine the outcomes of the first regional review, offering the unique Filipino experience.

We also acknowledge the government’s whole-of-society approach which allowed this consultation and the overall review process to be as inclusive as possible. 

This was demonstrated four years ago with the BRIDGE (Bridging Recruitment to Reintegration in Migration Governance) joint programme. 

The Philippines leads in demonstrating that with strong government ownership, coherence with multi-sectoral actors, and building upon best practices, we can sustain reintegration support for migrants who suffered losses from the pandemic or any other form of crises for that matter. 

The perspectives from civil society and other non-government entities are indispensable on issues regarding migration governance. Your presence today is important in making sure that we can directly help migrant communities.

And with this, I urge you to take full advantage of today’s opportunity to ensure Philippines unique perspective and highlight your experiences, what has worked and what other can learn from the Philippines.

As we exchange on GCM Objectives 5 (facilitating pathways for regular migration) and 7 (responding to vulnerabilities in migration), the vast wealth of knowledge and experiences here are sources of best practices that must be channeled to develop workable and innovative ideas and solutions. This is not just important for the Philippines, but to help us assess where we are and improves as a region.

I am looking forward to your outputs which would help our goal of advancing the CGM towards national and global consciousness and which we will promote and advocate for.

Rest assured that UN Network on Migration and the UNCT will remain proactive in addressing the critical gaps in knowledge and pending issues shaping the migration landscape in the Philippines. This is an indispensable component of the UN Cooperation Framework 2024-2028.

After all, we are all striving towards a common goal – to make sure that no migrant is left behind.

Thank you very much.

[1] 2023 OFW remittances hit all-time high - BusinessWorld Online (bworldonline.com)

[2] Although the GCM was still referenced to in the latest PDP, it was not as straightforward as the updated PDP 2017-2022 where there is a specific chapter dedicated to the matters of Overseas Filipinos.