United Nations: First global pact signed to better manage migration despite withdrawals
Angela Merkel insists the UN accord on migration was "about nothing less than the foundation of our international co-operation".
Monday 10 December 2018 13:15, UK
More than 160 countries have signed a historic agreement to cooperate on managing migration following months of international controversy.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel hailed the signing of the UN accord as an "important day" but insisted it was "about nothing less than the foundation of our international co-operation".
The first global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration was adopted at a summit in Marrakesh on Monday.
The non-binding agreement lays out principles that seek to ensure the safe, orderly and humane migration of people around the world, and protect migrants' access to human rights.
It details shared goals, including stopping discrimination against migrants, supporting them to work and integrate in the countries where they live, and to strengthen a coordinated response to cross-border people smuggling.
Every UN country except the United States - which suddenly withdrew from discussions under instruction from the Trump administration months previously - finalised the pact in July.
But in the months since it has come under fire and been rejected by mostly right-wing governments who say the agreement compromises their sovereignty and stops them tightening their borders against new arrivals.
Australia, which has maintained a hard line against new arrivals and runs offshore camps for people attempting to reach the country, pulled out in November.
Hungary's far-right president Victor Orban, along with leaders in Poland, Austria and Hungary also withdrew from the pact, and Belgium's prime minister saw the biggest party in this government coalition quit over the agreement.
In Marrakesh on Monday, however, the tone was celebratory, framing the pact as a historic move to uphold "state sovereignty, responsibility-sharing, non-discrimination and human rights".
Mrs Merkel received a standing ovation for a speech in favour of international cooperation over migration and the United Nations, which she called "the answer to pure nationalism".
The Norwegian Refugee Council also welcomed the adoption of the pact, saying it recognised the "rising threats" as more people are forced to migrate by the effects of climate change.
UN chief Antonio Guterres called the compact a "road map to prevent suffering and chaos" and said the number of people killed while on the move - 60,000 since 2000 - was a "source of collective shame".