– As delivered –

Statement by H.E. Mrs. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly

18 December 2018

Distinguished Permanent Representatives, Delegates,

The General Assembly has endorsed the Global Compact and has sent a clear and strong message to the world: we are willing and we are able to discuss and find shared solutions for global challenges together. Multilateralism has been strengthen.

I wish to dedicate this immense support to migrant persons on their International Day, which was celebrated yesterday, December the 18th.

I wish to reiterate that the Global Compact is a useful tool with a text that takes the various perspectives on migration into account and allows us to address, in a coordinated and collective way, the challenges that -as I said this morning- no State can solve by its own means.

Once we have endorsed the Global Compact I will launch the process to determine the modalities of the “Review Forum on International Migration.”

In the next few days, I will designate the co-facilitators for the consultations. I reiterate my disposition to have an open, transparent and inclusive process.

With the implementation of the Compact we will achieve a real and positive impact in the lives of millions of migrants, their families and communities around the world. We will establish cooperation and exchange mechanisms and each country will act according to their own priorities, visions and internal regulatory frameworks to achieve a true safe, orderly and regular migration.

To conclude, I only wish to reiterate my absolute support to continue to promote the multilateral dialogue on international migration.

The social appropriation of the Compact will be fundamental. A responsible dissemination is essential and will contribute to keep us moving forward to build societies that are more inclusive, fair and dignified, without leaving anyone behind.

Thank you.