Climate Displacement Recognised in Migration Compact

Press Release: 15th July 2018
PIANGO Welcomes UN Recognition of Climate Displacement in Final Text of Global Migration Compact

(New York, US) ------ PIANGO joined government and non-government representatives in the United Nations (UN) Trusteeship Chambers at the UN headquarters to applaud the end of the final round of intergovernmental negotiations on the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) which concluded last week.

Speaking from New York, PIANGO executive director, Emele Duituturaga, expressed satisfaction that the plight of Pacific Small Island states had been included in the compact, following her appeal to UN negotiators earlier last week to avoid any weakening of protections for victims of natural disasters and climate change.

“The final text recognises migration movements that may result from sudden-onset and slow-onset natural disasters, the adverse effects of climate change, environmental degradation, as well as other precarious situations, while ensuring the effective respect, protection and fulfilment of the human rights of all migrants,” Duituturaga said.

“It includes development of adaptation and resilience strategies to situations such as desertification, land degradation, drought and sea level rise, taking into account the potential implications on migration, while recognizing that adaptation in the country of origin is a priority.”

Duituturaga commended the work of the Pacific Missions in NY whose joint statement acknowledged that the Compact meaningfully captured the situation of the Pacific where climate change is a driver of human migration.

She also recognised the dedication of Pacific CSO representatives like Ms Pefi Kingi of Niue who had voluntarily participated in the earlier rounds of negotiations. She acknowledged the Asia Forum of Migrants for engaging Pacific CSOs into the GCM process following last year’s regional consultation in Nadi.

A collective civil society statement delivered at the closing session, expressed strong hope that when properly implemented and with concerted efforts to address remaining gaps, the Compact provides Member States with a sound framework for governing migration in a manner which respects human rights and the rule of law.

In her address, UN Deputy Secretary General Ms. Amina Mohammed referred to the Global Compact as a beacon of hope in our ability to come together for the people of the world, our humanity.

This Global Compact, the first global comprehensive framework for migration, is a non-legally binding agreement which will be adopted by member states in Marrakech, Morocco on 10 December later this year.

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