Global Forum on Migration & Development
2024 - 2025
The Colombian GFMD 2024 - 2025 Chairmanship
On September 3, 2024, Ambassador Gallón – Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations in Geneva and Chair of the GFMD - formally launched Colombia’s GFMD Programme (English, French, Spanish), entitled ‘Regular Migration, Labour Mobility and Human Rights: Pillars of Development and Well-Being of Societies’.
The Summit addressed 6 thematic areas:
Strength in Movement: The Impact of Women on Global Migration and Development
Children and Youth on the Move: Innovators for Tomorrow’s Development
The Interplay of Media and Culture to Construct and Deconstruct the Reality of Migration
Climate Change: Safe Labour Routes as a Bridge to Prosperity
Regional Cooperation and Integration to Promote Safe and Regular Migration for Development
New Technologies and Digitalisation: Improving Migration Management and Regular Migration Pathways
GFMD Summit Preparatory Meetings
During the course of 2024 and 2025, the Colombian Chair hosted a number of Preparatory Meetings to further discuss specific thematic areas of the Chairmanship, as well as to engage with the GFMD Friends of the Forum regarding Summit programme and preparations.
GFMD Summit, 2 - 4 September 2025, Riohacha
According to the Chair, the Summit brought together over 1500 participants, representing over 71 countries, from national and local governments, civil society, the private sector and youth. 11 local governments joined the Summit, each elevating the Call to Local Action for Migrants and Refugees.
As a key milestone, the GFMD Mayors Mechanism hosted a networking meeting, entitled "The Time is Now: Localising Migration Governance amidst a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape."
A new GFMD Chair has not yet been announced.
Highlight: At the Summit, the Mayor of Maicao announced that La Pista, an informal settlement home to more than 9,000 people—including Venezuelan migrants, returning Colombians, and Wayúu Indigenous families—would become Colombia’s first Neighbourhood of Peace (Barrio de la Paz). Facing scarce food, water, and services, the community will benefit from improved housing and access to basic services.
Read our press release here.
