31 May 2016: The co-facilitators of the high-level meeting (HLM) of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to address large movements of migrants and refugees have circulated a revised draft resolution on modalities for the HLM. The text will be considered in an informal meeting on 2 June. In addition to the revised draft resolution, the co-facilitators have also provided a non-paper of possible elements for the HLM’s outcome document, as a basis for discussion. The HLM will convene on 19 September 2016, in New York, US.

Issued on 27 May 2016 by the co-facilitators, Dina Kawar, Permanent Representative of Jordan, and David Donoghue, Permanent Representative of Ireland, the revised draft resolution on modalities notes that the themes of the six interactive multi-stakeholder roundtables, which will take place during the HLM in addition to the plenary meeting, are: 1) Addressing the root causes of large movements of refugees; 2) Addressing drivers of migration, particularly large movements, and highlighting the positive contributions of migrants; 3) International action and cooperation on refugees and migrants and issues related to displacements: the way ahead; 4) Global compact for responsibility-sharing for refugees: respect for international law; 5) Global compact for safe, regular and orderly migration: towards realizing the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and achieving full respect for the human rights of migrants; and 6) Addressing vulnerabilities of refugees and migrants on their journeys from their countries of origin to their countries of arrival.

A separate document issued on 31 May includes “key words” for each of these themes. The co-facilitators note that the “key words” document is made available to Member States as guidance in preparing their Heads of State and Government for the roundtables, but will not form part of the resolution.

The revised draft resolution also includes a request to the UNGA President to draw up a list of “other relevant representatives” of “relevant non-governmental organizations,” civil society organizations, academic institutions and the private sector who may attend the HLM and participate in the interactive roundtables, and to submit the list to Member States for their consideration on a non-objection basis. The paragraph containing this request is the subject of ongoing consultations, the co-facilitators underline in their accompanying letter on 27 May.

Expressing their hope to reach agreement on the modalities resolution by 2 June and moving to “the substantive phase of our work,” the co-facilitators have also outlined “possible elements for the intergovernmentally negotiated outcome document” for the HLM, in a non-paper circulated on 31 May. The possible elements include: format, content, inputs, global compacts, other elements, and follow-up of the outcome document.

On format, it notes that the outcome document could take the form of a political declaration.

On content, it suggests that the document will treat “in a carefully balanced way” the situation of refugees and migrants, and respect the distinctions between both, including separate legal frameworks. It also proposes to include a set of general policy principles and commitments applicable to the “crises currently facing the world” and to “future situations.” Such principles could include: acknowledging that no State can effectively manage the international movements of people on its own, and that regional and global solutions are increasingly required; identifying steps to address the root causes of large movements of refugees and the drivers of migration, particularly of large movements of migrants; addressing human trafficking and smuggling; highlighting the positive impact of migration; addressing issues regarding re-admission and resettlement of refugees; and acknowledging the impact of climate change as a driver of migrant and refugee flows.

On inputs, the non-paper suggests that the UN Secretary-General’s report, produced in preparation for the HLM, titled ‘In Safety and Dignity: Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants,’ can be a key point of departure for the outcome document. It notes that other inputs also will need to be considered, including the outcomes of relevant conferences.

The non-paper invites views on the two global compacts proposed in the UN Secretary-General’s report, on: responsibility sharing for refugees; and safe, regular and orderly migration. It also invites views on other proposals made in that report (such as the growing gap between humanitarian needs and funding, and the global campaign against xenophobia) and on the treatment these should be given in the outcome document.

Finally, the non-paper asks questions on arrangements to ensure implementation of the outcome document, and how should these be linked to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

The co-facilitators intend to outline a timeline for substantive negotiations in the informal meeting on 2 June. [Revised Draft Resolution on Modalities, 27 May] [Possible Elements of Outcome Document, 31 May] [IISD RS Story on Modalities Consultations] [IISD RS Story on UN Secretary-General’s Report in Preparation for HLM]