Statement by H.E. Mr. Tofig F. Musayev

Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations

on behalf of the GCM Champion countries

at the briefing on the Secretary-General’s Report on the Global Compact for

Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration

Trusteeship Council Chamber, UNHQ, 27 February 2026

President of the General Assembly,

Secretary-General,

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).

We thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report on the implementation of the GCM, which provides clear guidance to inform deliberations at the upcoming International Migration Review Forum (IMRF).

The report underscores a fundamental truth: as we confront demographic shifts, and rising anti-migrant narratives, the GCM remains an essential framework for cooperation rooted in human rights and shared responsibility.

This common framework is more relevant than ever.

We echo the Secretary-General’s call to strengthen progress across the full range of issues covered in the Compact and reiterate his recognition of the Forum as an opportunity to harness momentum through concrete, practical and rights-based actions, including through route-based cooperation.

We share, too, deep concern over the rising number of deaths and disappearances along migratory routes. We reaffirm our commitment to strengthen cooperation on saving lives, search and rescue, and addressing missing migrants, guided by the actionable recommendations provided by the Secretary-General in his previous report.

We also reiterate our call to take measures aimed at preventing detention of accompanied and unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents, taking into consideration the best interests of the child at all times, noting the limited progress on supporting family unity, as outlined in the report, and to highlight the importance of using an evidence-based approach to counter negative narratives on migrants.

We thank the United Nations Network on Migration, under IOM coordination, for its provision of system-wide support in delivering on the GCM and reiterate our call for states to pledge financing to the Migration MPTF, while thanking those donors to date.

As GCM Champion Countries, we remain committed to advancing the practical implementation of all 23 objectives of the GCM, consistent with its ten guiding principles. Guided by our shared values and responsibilities, we will continue to promote cooperation, uphold human rights, and ensure that migration contributes positively to societies.

The upcoming International Migration Review Forum is an opportunity to reinforce trust in multilateralism and demonstrate that safe, orderly and regular migration is achievable through cooperation, evidence-based policies, and respect for human rights.

We look forward to working constructively with 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 toward an effective Progress Declaration. 

We stand ready to work with all Member States and partners to ensure a meaningful and ambitious outcome at the IMRF.

Thank you.