In the face of rising global migration, the international community has sought to manage the movement of people more effectively. Against this backdrop, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration on 19 December 2018. The agreement matters because it is the first to set out a comprehensive global vision of migration.
An unprecedented but non-binding framework
The Global Compact grew out of the 2016 New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, in which Member States recognised the need for a collective approach to the challenges of migration.
Unlike a traditional treaty, the Compact is not legally binding. Rather than create legal obligations for states, it provides a framework for cooperation. Each country keeps sovereignty over its migration policies, yet commits to working with others.
The aim is twofold: to manage migration better, and to maximise its economic and social benefits.
What does the Global Compact actually offer?
It covers every aspect of migration, from humanitarian, economic and social questions to human rights. It gives states a comprehensive “toolbox” to:
- strengthen international cooperation;
- improve the management of migration flows;
- meet the challenges of contemporary migration.
The Compact also aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Its objectives are to improve migration governance, reduce vulnerability and promote humane, effective policies.
What does “safe, orderly and regular” migration mean?
The phrase lies at the heart of the Compact and rests on three principles.
Safe: migration that protects people’s lives and dignity by reducing risks such as trafficking, violence and dangerous journeys.
Orderly: migration that is well managed and structured through public policy and cooperation between states.
Regular: migration that respects the laws and procedures of countries of origin, transit and destination.
The goal, then, is to counter unsafe and irregular migration while offering legal and secure alternatives.
A leading role for international organisations
Delivering the Compact relies heavily on bodies such as the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
Through the United Nations Network on Migration, these organisations support states with policy advice, technical assistance and evaluation tools.
Many countries have also set up national networks to adapt the Compact’s recommendations to local realities. These national platforms help governments, provide guidance and share best practice in more than 80 countries. Challenges remain, however, including limited resources, complex coordination and local realities that differ sharply from global ambitions.
Côte d’Ivoire commits to migration governance
Ahead of the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) in New York in 2026, the country has embraced the initiative wholeheartedly. On 12 March, the Ivorian government launched a national consultation in Abidjan with the United Nations Network on Migration. The aim is to compile a national report on the Compact’s implementation.
Around forty stakeholders took part, including representatives of public institutions, international organisations, civil society and migrant groups. Together they assessed the progress made and identified the challenges that remain. For the Ivorian authorities, migration is a key issue. “Migration is a structural reality for our country,” said Professor Kouakou Clément, representing the Ministry of Planning and Development.
Key achievements include a national border management policy and strategies for migrant reintegration and labour migration, both due to be implemented in 2024. These efforts show a clear intention to improve migration governance and make the most of the opportunities that human mobility offers.
A wager on the future
The Global Compact rests on a simple idea: organise migration better in order to protect migrants better. That is an ambitious goal in a world where human mobility keeps rising. The question is whether the commitments will be followed by action. After all, these principles shape the lives of millions.
