KINGSTON, Jamaica — As Jamaica prepares to adopt the first international global agreement for the management of international migration, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Pearnel Charles Jr, is urging stakeholders to take an evidence-based and data driven approach in their discussions on the Global Compact for Safe Orderly and Regular Migration.

Speaking at the final phase of the National Consultations on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration held today, Charles Jr told attendees that this approach “assists governments of origin and destination countries, to better and humanely treat with the various drivers and structural factors that compel people to migrate.”

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said that the Global Compact provides for a systematic approach to issues of migration globally and charters the need for shared responsibilities in mitigating the implications of migration.

It added that the consultations which are being spearheaded by the Planning Institute of Jamaica in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration, involve key stakeholders from the United Nations Agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations, Ministry Departments and Agencies, Civil Society groups and the academia.

Charles Jr used the occasion to articulate support for the agreement, citing that “the effective management of the movement of people across borders will require cooperation among all nations, in order to realise optimal developmental outcomes that can be shared by all.”

In emphasising the viewpoint that Jamaica is an island that grapples with challenges of border control, Charles noted that Jamaica welcomes the Global Compact’s emphasis on comprehensive approaches that ensure benefits of migration are optimised.

Pointing to the significance of migration on Jamaica’s national development and identity, Charles reiterated “It is in recognition of the role played by migration, that there has been an effort to ensure that the phenomenon of migration is factored into Jamaica’s development planning as we approach the year 2030.”

The Compact agreement calls for the safety, human dignity, rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants regardless of their migratory status.

It takes the form of an agreement among member states that will be formally adopted at the High Level Intergovernmental Conference to be held in Morocco from 10th –11th December 2018.