Global Forum on Migration and Development

The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) is a voluntary, informal, non-binding and government-led process open to all States Members and Observers of the United Nations, to advance understanding and cooperation on the mutually reinforcing relationship between migration and development and to foster practical and action-oriented outcomes.

The GFMD process brings together expertise from all regions and countries at all stages of economic, social and political development. Policy-makers from a wide range of government agencies participate, including from Ministries and Departments of Immigration, Development, Labour, Foreign Affairs, Gender Equality, Home Affairs, Justice, Interior, Integration and Nationals Abroad. Since its inception, the GFMD has operated on the basis of a unique participative working method, involving governments and policy makers from a varied background. UN and other international agencies, as well as academia and civil society organizations, as appropriate and desired by governments are involved in the process. The Forum also engages civil society representatives by inviting them to hold parallel meetings and share their deliberations with states.