Panama City, May 12, 2022 - The Republic of Panama, represented by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marta Elida Gordon, received the results and findings of the National Consultation on the progress in the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), in preparation for the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF), to be held at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.

"This Forum is the first review of the implementation of the Compact at the country, regional and global levels, which seeks to become the main intergovernmental platform, where the Member States of the United Nations will present their progress in the implementation of all aspects of the Global Compact, including with regard to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and identify opportunities for cooperation," said Deputy Minister Gordon.

As part of the select group of precursor countries of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, the Republic of Panama reiterates its high-level commitment to continue exercising a leading role in the Latin American and Caribbean region in migration matters, based on respect for and promotion of the human rights of the migrant population throughout their always eventful journeys, as was shared by Deputy Minister Gordon at the end of her speech.

In relation to this issue, President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, during the Ministerial Meeting on Migration held in Panama City on April 19 and 20 of this year, reaffirmed the commitment to work in collaboration with other countries as strategic allies in the search for joint solutions with transversal policies and concrete actions that promote safe, orderly, and regular migrations that respect human rights.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Panama Administrative Centre and Chief of Mission of IOM in Panama, Santiago Paz, explained that this articulated work is a great exercise in which together valuable contributions have been collected that reflect the good practices and challenges that Panama has as a country.

He also said that this Forum represents a unique opportunity for the Member States of the United Nations to highlight what are the different challenges, challenges and opportunities they face in the implementation of the GCM.

In this sense, the Deputy Minister of Security, Ivor Pitti, stressed the importance of the commitment and awareness of all the sectors involved, so that migrants can feel that their human rights are respected.

To achieve this, the logistical, economic and academic support of international organizations is necessary to ensure that the commitments acquired by our country are achievable over time.

By adopting the GCM in 2018, United Nations Member States committed themselves to ensuring respect, protection and effective fulfilment of the human rights of all migrants, regardless of their migration status, during all stages of the migration cycle. As part of the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration, Governments are also urged to eliminate all forms of discrimination against migrants and their families, such as racism, xenophobia, and intolerance.