Statement at the informal consultations on the Progress Declaration of the

International Migration Review Forum

Delivered by Mr. Shahriyar Hajiyev, First Secretary

CR 1, UNHQ, 23 March 2026

Excellencies,

I am honoured to deliver this statement on behalf of the 41 Champion Countries[1] of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). 

The GCM Champion Countries Initiative brings together Member States committed to promoting the 23 objectives of the Global Compact for Migration and demonstrating the value of strengthened cooperation across all stages of the migration cycle. Through galvanizing support, exchanging information, and sharing best practices, we seek to translate commitments to safe, orderly, and regular migration into a tangible reality for all.

We thank the co-facilitators of the IMRF Progress Declaration, H.E. Mr. Erastus Lokaale, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations, and H.E. Mr. Olivier Maes, Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the United Nations, for transmitting the zero draft of the Progress Declaration for this second IMRF.

The zero draft provides an important basis for the start of our deliberations. It captures progress since 2022, acknowledges persistent and emerging challenges, and sets out a forward‑looking vision for strengthened implementation of the Global Compact for Migration.

As GCM Champion Countries, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing the practical implementation of all 23 objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, known as the Marrakesh Compact on Migration, consistent with its ten guiding principles. We recall General Assembly resolution 73/195 of 19 December 2018, by which it endorsed the Global compact as well as General Assembly resolution 73/326 of 19 July 2019 on the format and organizational aspects of the international migration review forums.

We will continue to promote cooperation, uphold and protect the human rights of all migrants, with particular attention to the protection of migrant children, and support efforts to create conducive conditions that enable all migrants to enrich our societies through their human, economic and social capacities, and thus facilitate their contributions to sustainable development at the local, national, regional and global levels.

GCM Champion Countries remain committed to working constructively with all delegations to achieve a balanced and action‑oriented Progress Declaration - one that delivers a meaningful outcome for this second IMRF and strengthens efforts to reduce vulnerabilities and make migration safer, more orderly, and more regular for all.

Thank you.