4–8 May 2026
ILO at the International Migration Review Forum
At the second International Migration Review Forum (IMRF), held at UN Headquarters in New York on 4–8 May, the ILO will promote social dialogue and rights-based labour migration governance to advance the protection of migrant workers’ rights.
Since 2018, Member States have committed to reviewing progress in implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) through a UN-led, State-driven process with broad stakeholder participation.
The second International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) will assess progress and set priorities for the next five years, including on rights-based labour migration governance, social dialogue and the protection of migrant workers. It will conclude with an intergovernmental Progress Declaration.
ILO events
Monday 4 May
Advancing wage and social protection for migrant workers: Lessons and innovations from Africa and Asia to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries labour migration corridor
13:15-14:30 (New York time); 17:15-18:30 GMT
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Executive Bureau, in collaboration with the ILO, and with the support of Saudi Arabia, will convene a side event featuring a high-level panel discussion focused on engaging key stakeholders from origin and destination countries and fostering policy dialogue around ongoing wage and social protection initiatives across the Africa and Asia to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries labour migration corridor. Follow the event online
Social justice for migrant workers, social justice for all: Centering labour rights and social dialogue in migration governance
ILO office for the United Nations, New York; 13:15-14:30 (local time)
Organized by the Federal Republic of Brazil, the ILO and the International Trade Union Confederation, this side event aims to identify actionable strategies for governments, trade unions and employers to ensure migration contributes to social development and social justice by centering decent work agenda in migration governance.
Tuesday 5 May
International Migration Review Forum Roundtable 1
10:00-12:00 (New York time) / 14:00-16:00 (GMT)
This roundtable will be a forum to discuss progress on implementation of objectives of the Global Compact for Safe Orderly and Regular Migration related to fair recruitment, decent work and skill development and recognition.
Moving for work, working with dignity: Advancing decent work in migration governance
ILO office for the United Nations, New York, 08:15-09:30 (local time)
The International Trade Union Confederation, the International Organisation of Employers and the Governments of the Bangladesh, the Philippines and Spain will co-host a tripartite panel which will showcase approaches to centre decent work in migration, including the importance of regular pathways, fair recruitment of migrant workers, and ensuring that skills-based pathways go hand-in-hand with rights.
International Migration Review Forum Roundtable 3
16:00-18:00 (New York time) / 20:00-22:00 (GMT)
This roundtable 3 will be a forum to discuss progress on implementation of objectives of the Global Compact for Safe Orderly and Regular Migration related to consular protection; access to basic services for migrants; inclusion and social cohesion; migrants and diasporas contributions; remittances and financial inclusion; and social protection.
Migration as a Climate Solution: Skills, Mobility and the Just Transition
16:30-17:30 (New York time) / 22:30-23:30 (GMT)
This dialogue is specifically focused on how human mobility - well-governed and structured - can support the green transition, rather than simply being shaped by it. The question is not only how climate change drives displacement, but how migration can actively enable the clean energy future. The green transition is not just an environmental challenge - it is a labour market transformation. The shift to renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and climate-resilient economies is creating new and growing demand for workers and skills that domestic labour markets cannot always supply. This dialogue will be moderated by Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon, the ILO's Special Representative to the UN in New York
Wednesday 6 May
From commitment to impact: Strengthening regular pathways through decent work, skill recognition and legal identity for sustainable migration outcomes
13:15-14:30 (New York time) / 17:15-18:30 (GMT)
Description: Hosted by the Government of Nigeria, the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the ILO, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) – Centres for Migration and Development (ZME), and Civil Society Network on Migration and Development (CSOnetMADE), this side event will highlight Nigeria’s experience in translating Global Compact for Migration commitments into concrete national systems and frameworks. It will showcase practical approaches to legal identity, labour migration governance, skills development and recognition, while promoting dialogue, partnerships, and peer learning.
Thursday 7 May
Empowerment and rights protection of women migrant workers in the care economy
ILO office for the United Nations, New York; 08:15-9:30 (local time)
Description: The ILO, the International Domestic Workers Federation, the European Union and the Governments of Nepal and Germany will co-host a side event which will draw upon the experience of UN member states, international migrant worker unions, civil society organizations and international organizations. Participants will share good practices and discuss remaining challenges in the practical protection of women migrant workers in the care economy. Moreover, they will emphasize both the importance and the complementarity of local, regional and international approaches to Global Compact for Migration implementation and migrant worker empowerment. Covering these multiple dimensions and how they inform each other offers valuable insights for government officials, workers organizations, private sector actors, and civil society organizations alike.
Official website
International Migration Review Forum 2026
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Topic portal
Labour migration