New York, 7 May 2026
Madam President,
The Holy See Delegation welcomes the convening of this important Second International Migration Forum, eight years after the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM).
Migrants are, first and foremost, human beings whose God-given dignity, as well as fundamental human rights and freedoms must remain at the core of international cooperation and migration governance.
Everyone should have the opportunity to live a dignified life in their home country and should be free to choose whether or not to migrate. However, this possibility is not always guaranteed. In this context, people on the move should not be defined by their status; they must be recognized as individuals who are entitled to seek a place where they can meet their basic needs, build a life for themselves and provide for their families, and participate in and contribute to the community in which they live.
In response to this call, the GCM is a genuine commitment to multilateralism and testimonies a shared sense of responsibility on migration, underscoring a dedication to the common good and to working for the benefit of all. This Forum offers the opportunity to demonstrate that the global community can remain united in upholding the dignity of each and every person.
Noteworthy progress has been made in expanding regular pathways in response to evolving labour market and demographic needs, as well as on humanitarian grounds.[1] The introduction of regularization initiatives demonstrates a tangible commitment to responsiveness and responsibility. However, these advances are not yet complete: significant gaps persist, leaving too many people on the margins of society.
For this reason, it is essential to continue expanding and diversifying safe and regular pathways, particularly for family reunification, labour mobility, and education. It is also crucial to strengthen regularization mechanisms. These efforts must be firmly rooted in a human-centered approach to migration governance that places the dignity of every person at its core.
While progress has also been made in coordinating approaches to safe and dignified returns, concerns persist in the context of returns to crisis-affected countries and third country agreements.[2] Return and readmission must fully respect international law and be based on an individual assessment with due process guarantees. Where children are involved in return and readmission procedures, the best interests of the child and the right to family unity must always prevail. It is therefore fundamental that child immigration detention must end.
While States have the sovereign right to determine their migration policies, human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants must be safeguarded. As Pope Leo XIV has said, “the communities that welcome them can also be a living witness to hope, one that is understood as the promise of a present and a future where the dignity of all as children of God is recognized.”[3]
Madam President,
Ultimately, what is at stake is not merely the management of migration flows, but societies’ ability to recognize, welcome and nurture the God-given dignity of every person, thereby shaping a humane and just future.
In this context, today’s widespread migratory movements require renewed collective ownership and joint implementation of the GCM.[4] This will ensure a “future of peace and of respect for the dignity of all.”[5]
I thank you.
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[1] Cf. A/80/632, 6-7.
[2] Cf. A/80/632, 6-7.
[3] Pope Leo XIV, Message for the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, 2025.
[4] Cf. A/RES/73/195, 15(b).
[5] Pope Leo XIV, Message for the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, 2025.
