was held from May 5–8, 2026, at the United Nations and was intended to assess progress at the global, regional, national, and local levels in implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), adopted in 2018.
Although many difficulties were faced by the civil society entering some spaces, at the end of the Forum, the outcome was the adoption of the declaration on progress.
The Forum reviewed progress since the first IMRF in 2022 and focused on:
Protecting the human rights and dignity of migrants.
Expanding safe and regular migration pathways.
Addressing the drivers of migration, including conflict, poverty, inequality, and climate change.
Strengthening international cooperation on migration governance.
Combating migrant smuggling, trafficking, and exploitation.
Improving access to services, social protection, and labor rights for migrants.
Enhancing data collection and evidence-based migration policies.
What was decided?
The principal outcome was the adoption of the IMRF 2026 Progress Declaration, which:
Reaffirmed commitment to the Global Compact for Migration.
Reaffirmed that all migrants, regardless of status, are human rights holders.
Called for stronger international cooperation and shared responsibility.
Encouraged States to develop safe, orderly, and regular migration pathways.
Recognized the contribution of migrants to sustainable development.
Highlighted the need for gender-responsive and child-sensitive migration policies.
Reaffirmed the importance of a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving civil society, faith groups, migrants, and local authorities.
Main outcomes
Renewed global commitment to the Global Compact for Migration.
Recognition of migrants as contributors to development, not merely recipients of assistance.
Greater attention to climate-related displacement and the growing links between climate change and migration.
Stronger emphasis on labor migration and protection of migrant workers.
Recognition of the role of local governments, civil society, and faith-based organizations in migration governance.
The Forum also revealed continuing political divisions. While the Progress Declaration was adopted by the General Assembly, some governments expressed reservations about aspects of the migration agenda. For example, the United States announced that it would not support the Progress Declaration.
The IMRF repeatedly stressed that migration is a human reality requiring solidarity, cooperation, and respect for human dignity. This aligns closely with the advocacy of Catholic and Vincentian organizations, which emphasize welcoming migrants, protecting vulnerable people on the move, and addressing the root causes that force people to migrate.
The 2026 International Migration Review Forum renewed global commitment to the Global Compact for Migration, reaffirmed the human rights and dignity of all migrants, called for expanded safe migration pathways, recognized the growing impact of climate change on migration, and highlighted the essential role of civil society and faith-based organizations in building humane and effective migration policies.”
Sources : IMRF Summary Report