International dialogue on migration

The multilateral dialogue platforms foster bridge-building between countries of origin, transit and destination and promote general cooperation in the area of migration. They facilitate the development of regional and global solutions and aim to achieve an approach to migration based on fair sharing of responsibility and solidarity between countries. Besides representatives of states, they also involve international organisations, UN agencies, and civil society and private-sector actors.

It is in Switzerland's interest that this dialogue is continued at all levels and that Switzerland should play an active part in shaping it.

The Federal Administration has been organised into an interdepartmental structure for international cooperation on migration (ICM structure), which was created by the Federal Council in February 2011 and brings together the relevant offices from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) and the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP).

The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) is a venue for informal global dialogue. It was established following the first UN High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development (UNHLD) in 2007 on the advice of the then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. It is based in Geneva.

The GFMD seeks to foster exchange and concrete cooperation among states and other stakeholders in the area of migration and development.

As a member of its steering group, Switzerland takes an active role in defining the GFMD's priorities.

A large number of international organisations and UN agencies work on migration issues. In 2007, the most important of these formed the Global Migration Group (GMG), which was dissolved at the end of 2018 following the adoption of the global compact for migration. Its successor, the UN Migration Network, is led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and is currently made up of 38 entities within the United Nations system. The eight-member executive committee provides strategic oversight and takes decisions for the network.

Switzerland's key partners include the IOM, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).

In order to contribute to global development, promote human well-being and protect the environment, the international community adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015. It recognises migration as an integral factor in global and sustainable development. The summit outcome document takes into consideration the fact that migrants may be exposed to specific risks and sets clear goals to protect their human and employment rights. It also takes account of the different needs of refugees and internally displaced people. In addition, the 2030 Agenda aims to eradicate human trafficking. Switzerland was a driving force behind the integration of migration in the 2030 Agenda.