On 18 September 2026, the Global Migration Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute hosted the launch of The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration: A Commentary, edited by Professor Vincent Chetail and published by Oxford University Press.

Bringing together leading scholars, legal experts and practitioners, the event offered a rich discussion on the achievements, limitations, and future prospects of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), the first intergovernmental agreement adopted by the United Nations to address all dimensions of international migration.

In his introductory remarks, Jonathan Prentice, Head of the Secretariat of the United Nations Network on Migration, reflected on the GCM as a unique space for dialogue and consensus-building. As he noted, the GCM remains an ongoing process rather than a finished project, one that cannot address global challenges in isolation but continues to play a vital role in international cooperation.

Moderating the discussion, Vincent Chetail presented the Commentary as both a scholarly and collective endeavour. He highlighted how the volume explores the relationship between law, policy, and practice, while offering the first comprehensive analysis of the Compact's provisions, objectives, and implementation mechanisms. Echoing broader reflections on multilateralism, he emphasised that the authority of the Compact ultimately depends on its consistent and meaningful application.

Throughout the panel discussion, contributors examined the Compact's objectives and engaged in a constructive debate on the future of global migration governance.

A recurring theme was the tension between political commitments and legal implementation. Satvinder S. Juss discussed how the Compact frames a future-oriented international agenda while simultaneously reflecting some of the political compromises inherent in migration governance. Elspeth Guild explored the growing significance of key principles embedded in the GCM, including non-refoulement and non-regression, and considered their evolving place within international legal frameworks.

Several speakers focused on implementation challenges. Violeta Moreno-Lax reflected on the protection gaps that persist particularly in relation to migrants lost at sea and border governance. Izabella Majcher examined developments concerning returns, readmission, and reintegration, highlighting recent policy trends that continue to raise important human rights concerns. Bernard Ryan discussed labour migration, stressing the need for greater attention to cooperation between states and the protection of migrant workers, including those in irregular situations.

Questions of inclusion, cooperation, and the role of non-state actors also featured prominently. Stephanie Berry highlighted the Compact's innovative approach to social cohesion and inclusion, while François Crépeau and Idil Atak reflected on international cooperation, the changing political environment surrounding migration, and the increasingly important role played by civil society in advancing migration governance objectives. Mariana Ferolla Vallandro do Valle discussed the distinctive architecture that the GCM has established for follow-up and review, illustrating how a non-binding instrument can nevertheless influence policy development and practice.

The discussion demonstrated both the enduring relevance of the Global Compact for Migration and the value of sustained dialogue among scholars, policymakers, international organisations, and civil society actors. While acknowleidning its limitations, participants shared a common recognition of the importance of international cooperation in addressing one of the defining global challenges of our time.

The event marked an important milestone for a publication representing four years of research and the contributions of 31 experts worldwide. As migration continues to shape political, legal, and social debates across the globe, The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration: A Commentary offers a timely resource for understanding the evolving landscape of global migration governance.

The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration: A Commentary is available through Oxford University Press.