Turkey Assumes GFMD 2014-2015 Chairmanship

The Republic of Turkey is the Chair-in-Office of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) as of 1 July 2014 from the Sweden, for a period of 18 months, until end December 2015. During its Chairmanship, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey will lead the Chair's Taskforce and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu will chair the GFMD Summit Meeting in 2015.

Turkey has volunteered to take up this challenging task, not only because of its increasing engagement in the area of migration, but also because of its growing commitment to sustainable development. Turkey has a wealth of experiences to share in the area of migration and development. Traditionally known as a migrant sending country, Turkey has become an attractive destination due to its economic growth and social development.

In this context, we believe that it is important to gather all relevant actors engaged in migration and development in an inclusive and transformative dialogue. Strengthening partnerships and international cooperation on migration management will help in integrating migration with development policies.

Therefore, we consider the Global Forum as a platform that enables countries to discuss and follow a cooperative approach in efficient migration management. Turkey’s Chairmanship of the GFMD will pave the way for its intensified engagement in the area of migration governance and strengthen the positive impact of migration on development, both in countries of origin and of destination.

Turkey attaches great importance to the strengthening of the GFMD process and its relationship with the UN system. With this understanding, the inclusion of “migration” in the post-2015 UN development agenda will be a key priority. Turkey will seize this opportunity to enhance and make the work of GFMD even more relevant and visible.

During her Chairmanship, Turkey shall elaborate on comprehending the dynamics of human mobility and transforming it into an element of development.