The 15th Summit of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) concluded after three days of high-level discussions and collaboration in Riohacha, Colombia. Held from 2 to 4 September, the event brought together more than 800 participants from governments, civil society, the private sector, and international organizations to address the challenges and harness the benefits of human mobility.
"At a time when debates on migration are polarized and political leaders are under pressure to demonstrate that they have firm control of migration flows, we need to find common ground upon which practical, principled, and effective solutions can be built," said Catalina Devandas, DG Representative and Senior Director of Partnerships with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). "The Forum has shown how governments, civil society and international partners can work together to transform dialogue into solutions."
As Chair of the GFMD for the 2024-2025 term, Colombia led a robust multi-state coordination effort and an inclusive preparatory process that defined clear thematic priorities and encouraged meaningful participation. The process emphasized the critical link between migration and development, with a strong focus on territorial approaches and evidence-based policymaking.
The GFMD is a state-led and voluntary process open to UN Member States and Observers. It plays a vital role in shaping global conversations on migration and development by promoting the exchange of ideas and encouraging collaboration across sectors. Since 2007, the GFMD has worked closely with IOM, which hosts the GFMD Secretariat in Geneva and provides key administrative and technical support to its leadership.
Throughout the 15th Summit, IOM provided technical support and actively contributed to expert panels, roundtables, technical dialogues, and side events. The Organization shared data, tools, and field experiences on key topics such as migration governance, durable solutions, regular migration pathways, human mobility in the context of disasters and climate change, the role of women in migration and development, return and the restoration of rights, and the Global Compact for Migration, among others. This engagement continues IOM's longstanding role in previous GFMD editions.
During the Expert Panel on Solutions to Internal Displacement, IOM joined high-level experts and policymakers to spotlight local integration as a durable solution for internally displaced persons (IDPs). With over 83 million IDPs worldwide, there is an urgent need for development-driven strategies that address the long-term challenges of displacement, particularly in urban settings where most of them now reside.
By positioning local integration as a shared responsibility, the panel reinforced the need to bridge humanitarian and development efforts, ensuring that displaced persons are not left behind in the global push toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The panel drew on international experiences, including insights from the UN Special Rapporteur's latest report and lessons from pilot countries led by the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Solutions, including Colombia. Speakers underscored the importance of coordinated, government-led responses and called for stronger policies, financing, and cross-sectoral collaboration to support sustainable integration.
With its active participation in the 15th GFMD Summit in Riohacha, IOM reaffirmed its commitment to supporting States and Forum mechanisms in transforming evidence into public policy and delivering tangible outcomes for migrants and displaced populations. IOM highlighted the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation on migration in the lead-up to the UN General Assembly's International Migration Review Forum in 2026.
