Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA

Federal Council postpones final decision on Global Compact for Migration until conclusion of parliamentary debates

Press releases, 21.11.2018

The Federal Council believes that the United Nations Global Compact for Migration is consistent with Switzerland's interests, as it aims to reduce irregular migration by setting benchmarks for orderly migration practices. However, the Federal Council wishes to postpone its final decision pending conclusion of the parliamentary debates. As a result, Switzerland will not attend the intergovernmental conference for the formal adoption of the global compact to be held in Marrakech on 10 and 11 December 2018.

UN General Assembly Hall, New York — The United Nations General Assembly negotiated the Migration Pact in 2018. © Keystone

Switzerland’s migration policy already implements the recommendations set out in the Global Compact for Migration. On 10 October 2018, the Federal Council therefore issued a statement, with certain caveats, that it had decided to adopt the agreement. The Federal Council has also decided to present the matter to Parliament for consultation as required by law.

At its meeting on 21 November 2018, the Federal Council also decided to reject any motions requiring it to submit a federal decree which would allow Parliament to determine whether or not the Global Pact for Migration should be adopted. The Federal Council takes the view that such a determination falls within its constitutional remit (Article 184 para. 1 of the Federal Constitution), subject to the rights of participation of the Federal Assembly.