Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration

Definition

The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration is a comprehensive framework adopted by the United Nations in 2018 to promote international cooperation on migration. It aims to address the challenges of migration while ensuring the protection of the rights of migrants, fostering safe and dignified conditions for their journey, and enhancing the benefits of migration for both individuals and societies. This compact is especially relevant in discussions surrounding environmental migration and population displacement as it recognizes the impact of climate change on migration patterns.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Global Compact emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of migration, including environmental factors like climate change and natural disasters.
2. It promotes the rights and protection of all migrants regardless of their status, ensuring they have access to essential services and support.
3. The compact encourages states to strengthen partnerships and international cooperation to manage migration more effectively.
4. It includes commitments to enhance the resilience of communities that are vulnerable to displacement due to environmental factors.
5. By fostering safe pathways for migration, the compact aims to reduce irregular migration and human trafficking.

Review Questions

• How does the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration address the challenges posed by environmental migration?
  • The Global Compact specifically acknowledges environmental factors as significant drivers of migration, urging countries to develop strategies that address these challenges. It promotes policies aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change and enhancing community resilience. By focusing on these issues, the compact helps ensure that the rights of those displaced by environmental factors are protected and that they can migrate safely and orderly.
• Discuss how the commitments made in the Global Compact can influence national policies regarding population displacement caused by environmental changes.
  • The commitments within the Global Compact encourage nations to align their national policies with international standards that prioritize the safety and dignity of migrants. Countries are urged to adopt measures that proactively manage population displacement resulting from environmental changes, including legal protections for affected individuals. This alignment can lead to improved coordination among states in responding to crises and creating supportive frameworks for displaced populations.
• Evaluate the potential long-term impacts of implementing the Global Compact on global migration patterns in relation to climate change.
  • Implementing the Global Compact could lead to significant changes in global migration patterns, particularly as climate change continues to displace populations. By fostering cooperative frameworks for safe migration, countries may see a reduction in irregular migration flows as pathways become more regulated. Furthermore, addressing environmental factors proactively may mitigate displacement in vulnerable regions, ultimately shaping a more orderly international response to future migration driven by climate impacts. This shift could not only protect migrants but also enhance economic opportunities for countries involved in these migratory movements.

Related terms

Migration Governance: The framework of policies and practices that countries implement to manage migration flows and protect the rights of migrants.

Climate Refugees: Individuals who are forced to leave their homes due to sudden or gradual environmental changes, such as extreme weather events or rising sea levels.

Displacement: The process by which individuals or communities are forced to leave their homes due to conflict, violence, persecution, or environmental disasters.