On 10-11 December 2018, Marrakesh (Morocco) will host the UN Intergovernmental Conference to adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. 

The global compact was conceived to build on existing international instruments and mechanisms for the protection and promotion of fundamental human rights and freedoms.   

The document is based on important provisions, aimed at unlocking positive potential of migration, improving migration management at all levels, as well as promoting the well-being of migrants and members of communities in countries of origin, transit and destination.    

The Global Compact is a result of a series of negotiations, which took place in February-July 2018 in a spirit of constructive partnership and were marked by mutual concessions to achieve shared goal. The delegation of Ukraine headed by the representative of the State Migration Service of Ukraine consistently participated in these negotiations.       

For the first time in its modern history, the Ukrainian Nation has to face an unprecedented challenge. Armed aggression of the Russian Federation has resulted in the illegal occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, their attempted annexation and then expansion of the international armed conflict waged by the Russian Federation to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

In the wake of these heinous crimes over 1.5 million Ukrainian citizens were forced to flee their homes in search of shelter. The Ukrainian Government is determined to do everything possible to protect the rights and meet the needs of the internally displaced persons. However, we recognize that a lot of work still needs to be done, requiring considerable material and financial resources.

In view of the above, Ukraine will later consider possible accession to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration once the necessary conditions are in place.

The Ukrainian Government is committed to fulfilling its obligations under international conventions and treaties on human rights, readmission and related matters. Despite serious challenges and problems triggered by the internal displacement of a large number of our citizens, Ukraine continues to receive immigrants and create appropriate conditions for their stay in our country. According to the data provided by the State Migration Service (SMS) of Ukraine, as of 1 October 2018, there were 275,030 registered migrants in Ukraine. Over just nine months of 2018, the State Migration Service of Ukraine has issued 10,410 immigration permits and 33,567 temporary residence certificates.

Ukraine welcomes the continued international cooperation on migration issues and emphasizes the important role of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in this area. We look forward to further constructive cooperation with the IOM on a plethora of migration issues.