Kathmandu, September 6

A multi-stakeholder consultation was held here today to provide inputs on Nepal’s position on Global Compact for Migration.

The GCM, which was announced at the United Nations in September 2016 as part of the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, aims to establish an international cooperation framework on migration and human mobility.

The compact, which will be closely linked to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, is expected to be finalised and adopted by UN Member States at an intergovernmental conference in 2018.

The meeting will identify migration priorities and challenges facing Nepal, where the economy is heavily dependent on labour migration. Remittances sent home by migrant workers account for nearly 30 percent of GDP.

The consultation was organised by Ministry of Labour and Employment with support from International Office for Migration and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

Representatives of the government, development partners, UN agencies, NGOs, CSOs, academia, private sector and media attended the event. It followed an earlier consultation held with government stakeholders.

Nepal  plays an active role in regional labour migration processes to achieve a better deal for its migrant workers.

It currently chairs the Colombo Process, also known as the Regional Consultative Process on the Management of Overseas Employment and Contractual Labour for Countries of Origins in Asia. It also plays a key role in the Abu Dhabi Dialogue — a ministerial level regional consultative process on migration between Gulf States and the Colombo Process countries.

Speaking at the programme, Labour and Employment Secretary Laxman Mainali said invaluable inputs and recommendations of the joint multi-stakeholders consultation would help Nepal strongly put its position on various discussions at the regional and global forums.

IOM Nepal Chief of Mission Paul I Norton stated that these consultations present an historic opportunity for Nepal to participate in an effort undertaken by the whole world to work together to improve and ensure the dignity, protection and benefit of migration to everyone.