occasional-paper-273-1eb26b04996d22d0.pdf

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes the development of the UN Global Compact for Migration (GCM) and the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). It examines the differences between the two frameworks, the challenges of defining 'migrants' versus 'refugees', and the specific risks associated with the low level of participation from African states in the GCM process.

• Global migration and refugee numbers have increased significantly since 2000; by 2015, international migrants and refugees totaled 244 million, an increase of 71 million (41%) over the 15-year period.
• South-South migration is a major global trend, with 2013 figures showing 82.3 million international migrants moving between South countries, slightly exceeding the 81.9 million moving from South to North.
• Developing countries bear the primary burden of hosting refugees; for example, Turkey hosted 2.6 million, Pakistan 1.4 million, and Lebanon 1 million refugees, while sub-Saharan Africa as a region hosted 4.4 million.
• The Global Compact for Migration (GCM) differs from the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) primarily because the GCR is built upon a foundation of international law (the Geneva Convention), whereas the GCM lacks established international laws or norms to define migrants.
• The definition of a 'migrant' remains a contentious and simplistic point of debate, often failing to account for involuntary migrants, such as those fleeing climate change-induced disasters or political oppression, unlike the clear legal parameters for 'refugees'.
• The New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants is a non-binding expression of political will and has been criticized for using 'cop-out clauses' and abstract language like 'may consider' to avoid creating binding obligations.
• African participation in the GCM process has been minimal, with the African Union (AU) representation being entirely absent from the UN's second informal session.
• African countries face a high risk of being excluded from the rules governing remittances and employment if they do not participate in the GCM, especially given that 38% of sub-Saharan African youth expressed a willingness to permanently immigrate as of 2015.
• There is a tension between the Global North and South regarding the link between development and migration; while some developed nations use aid conditionality to reduce migration, evidence suggests that development often encourages migration rather than deterring it.
• The GCM's success depends on establishing clear definitions for migrants, creating practical policy recommendations for labor standards and social security portability, and incorporating financial incentives for host and sending countries.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). occasional-paper-273-1eb26b04996d22d0.pdf. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Occasional-Paper-273.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. occasional-paper-273-1eb26b04996d22d0.pdf. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Occasional-Paper-273.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=occasional-paper-273-1eb26b04996d22d0.pdf |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Occasional-Paper-273.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsndoccasionalpaper2731eb26b04996d22d0pdf, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{occasional-paper-273-1eb26b04996d22d0.pdf}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Occasional-Paper-273.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }