Update from the 15th Global Forum for Migration and Development Summit in Riohacha, Colombia

The 15th Global Forum for Migration and Development (GFMD) Summit was held in Riohacha, Colombia, from September 2 to 4. The Summit brought together national and local governments, civil society, the private sector, and youth to discuss the theme "Regular Migration, Labour Mobility and Human Rights: Pillars of Development and Well-Being of Societies." Roundtables highlighted key topics such as the impact of women on global migration, children and youth as innovators for development, the role of media and culture in shaping migration realities, climate change and safe labor routes, regional cooperation to promote safe and regular migration, and the use of new technologies to improve migration management and regular pathways.

The GFMD continues to serve as an innovative space for dialogue to address current and emerging challenges, fostering cooperative solutions and sharing best practices in a rapidly evolving global migration landscape. Mercy International Association has participated in the GFMD process as part of its ongoing leadership and commitment to justice for people on the move.

Cecilie Kern represented Mercy International Association and the NGO Committee on Migration at this year’s Summit, bringing Mercy experiences and values into strategic dialogues to shape civil society advocacy priorities and technical meetings with governments and stakeholders on rights-based solutions and partnerships. 

The highlight of the GFMD Summit was the launch of the “Resist, Reclaim, Realise: Migrant Rights are Human Rights” campaign during the Civil Society Preparatory Meeting on September 1st.

Launched at a critical moment marked by growing anti-migrant sentiment and weakening multilateralism, the "Resist, Reclaim, Realise" campaign is a global civil society initiative that confronts the rollback of migrant rights and demands moral leadership grounded in the non-negotiable principle that migrant rights are human rights.

This campaign serves as both a warning - stressing that fragile gains for migrants are at risk - and a rallying call to action, urging civil society to resist dehumanization and harmful policies, reclaim the narrative and space for rights-based migration governance, and realize a transformative vision for migration rooted in justice, dignity, and shared responsibility.

As a long-term advocacy effort, the campaign seeks to unify and amplify civil society voices globally, aiming to mobilize support toward the 2026 International Migration Review Forum.

Mercy International Association played a pivotal role in developing the slogan, shaping the campaign’s guiding principles, and supporting its launch, ensuring the priorities of marginalized and displaced people were central to the campaign’s vision.

ENDS