Migration has become a key issue for countries all over the world. An estimated 175 million persons are international migrants. A combination of contemporary forces including conflict and instability, global demographic and economic trends, facilitated travel and communication, all create powerful incentives for people to move. The scope and nature of migration is such that all countries are affected whether they are countries of origin, transit or destination, or a combination thereof. While national policies on migration are primarily formulated on the basis of national interest, their impact has broader repercussions on states and regions beyond the countries directly concerned. As a result, during the last few years, states have increasingly sought to strengthen inter-state co-operation in order to address migration flows through a coordinated and effective approach. Intergovernmental consultation processes and international initiatives are contributing to this objective.

THE AIM OF THE COMMISSION IS TO PROVIDE THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE FORMULATION OF A COHERENT , COMPREHENSIVE AND GLOBAL RESPONSE TO MIGRATION

The Commission's mandate is:

1. Placing International Migration on the Global Agenda   by promoting a comprehensive debate among governments, international organisations, academia, civil society, private sector, media and other actors on all aspects of migration and issues related to migration

2. Analysing Gaps in Current Policy Approaches to Migration and Examining Inter-linkages with Other Issue-Areas by focusing on various approaches and perspectives of governments and other stakeholders in different regions, and by addressing the relationship of migration with other global issues that impact on and cause migration

3. Presenting Recommendations to the United Nations Secretary-General and other Stakeholders on how to strengthen national, regional and global governance of international migration

Download the full Mandate and an explanatory Summary Note [in English]