PHL to Actively and Constructively Engage in Global Compact on Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) 

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Y. Arriola (center) was joined by Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, (leftmost) and, Minister Enrico T. Fos, focal person on migration issues at the Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva (rightmost) in discussion with UN Secretary General Special Representative on Migration, Ms. Louise Arbour (2nd from left) on the possible ways forward for the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration as the sidelines of the UNESCAP organized Regional Preparatory Meeting on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.

16 November 2017 BANGKOK — A Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) team led by Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary, Hon. Sarah Lou Y. Arriola, assured the UN Secretary General Special Representative (SRSG) on Migration, Ms. Louise Arbour, that the Philippines would continue to constructively engage in the consultation and negotiation processes towards a global compact on safe, orderly, and regular migration (GCM).

The DFA team met with SRSG Arbour on the ways forward for the GCM at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting (RPM) for the Global Compact on Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration held in Bangkok, 06 to 08 November. The DFA Team is composed of Undersecretary Arriola, Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, and Minister Enrico T. Fos, focal person on migration issues at the Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva

Undersecretary Arriola assured SRSG Arbour that the Philippines would continue to be constructively engaged in the consultation and negotiations process towards the adoption of the GCM.

“With almost ten million Filipinos working and residing abroad, it is the primordial obligation or foreign service to promote welfare and protect the rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs),” Undersecretary explained.

She added: “Our President, President Rodrigo R. Duterte, has the plight of the OFWs in his heart and their welfare is a cornerstone of his government policies.”

Ambassador Garcia explained to SRSG Arbour that the “Philippine engagement in the GCM process is anchored on human rights, the empowerment of the migrants and the recognition of their positive contribution to the their countries of origin and destination.”

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) organized the RPM.  Undersecretary Arriola is Co-Head of the Philippine Delegation to and Chair of that meeting. END

For more information, visit www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/genevapcg.