(VOVWORLD) - Representatives from 150 countries adopted the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday. Despite controversy over the UN-led compact and some countries withdrawing, the compact represents a joint effort to resolve the global issue of migration.
193 UN members, excluding the US, agreed to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration last July. The compact sets 23 goals to ensure legal migration and better migration management. Migrant populations around the globe now total 250 million, 3% of the world’s population.
The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration is scheduled for a vote at the UN General Assembly on December 19.
An important compact
Global migration has increased over the past decade, particularly migrants to the EU. Most of them are fleeing from conflicts and hunger in the Middle East and Africa. The UN reports that since 2000, more than 60,000 migrants died enroute, mostly at sea. Recently the number of people taking sea routes have declined, but the “political tremor” in the EU remains grave. Thousands of migrants are gathering on Mexico’s northern border seeking asylum in the US. The US government has deployed soldiers to the border to repel illegal crossings.
The UN says the compact is not legally binding but has some certain articles concerning sovereignty. So the implementation depends on the willingness of the countries. But it’s widely considered a diplomatic success that all UN members, excerpt the US, have agreed to it.
Controversy
Following the US’s lead, Hungary, Austria, Czech, Poland, Bulgaria, and Australia also withdrew from the compact, saying it would give the UN authority to impose migration policy on its members and it does not distinguish between legal and illegal migrants. Some EU countries fear that migrants, legal or illegal, will damage their economy and threaten their national security. The global compact has prompted populist parties to argue that countries are losing control over their sovereignty and borders.
The compact will improve cooperation between countries of origin, countries of transit, and destination countries, and help manage human trafficking. Global migration has a direct and indirect impact on every country. The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration is an important step toward a solution.
Anh Huyen