The Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Andean Community (CAN), are organizing the “Regional Forum: Best practices on migration and consular cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean,” to be held on 2 and 3 April 2025 in Bogotá, Colombia. 

The Forum represents an opportunity to contribute to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration[1], as well as to the South American Migration Plan towards Integration 2035[2] in its first year of implementation, with the objective of sharing successful experiences in transit migration, regulation, return and consular cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In addition, it is important to raise the relevance of the Global Forum on Migration and Development for the review of the relationship between migration and development from the perspective of socio-economic integration.

[1] The Global Compact for Migration is the first United Nations inter-governmentally negotiated agreement on a common approach to managing international migration. Its second review will take place from 18-20 March 2025 at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

[2] The Plan is a strategic planning tool designed for the decade 2025-2035. Its objective is to strengthen migration governance among South American countries and coordinate public policies that contribute to regional integration, recognising progress and best practices. Since December 2023, SELA is an observer member of the South American Conference on Migration (CSM).

The event aims to advance in the diagnosis of regularisation mechanisms, socio-economic integration and regional responses to migration, making progress in the identification of priorities to respond to the challenges in this area. Likewise, to promote dialogue and highlight the relevance of consular cooperation in contexts where there are no consulates.

1. Diagnosis of the state of implementation of regular mechanisms and channels for migration at the regional level. Identification of barriers and challenges in their implementation (MERCOSUR visa; CAN residency; CAF activities; academic mobility – Andean Parliament).

2. Identifying the regularisation mechanisms implemented by countries and how they respond to migrants’ needs in terms of access to rights, basic services and migration status.

3. Consular cooperation (key input in the context of the South American Work Plan 2025 of the Consular Protection and Coordination Network with concrete and measurable actions to strengthen migration governance in the two thematic areas of the Network).

4. Developing a “Framework document of best practices for the socio-economic inclusion of migrants,” which will consist of a compendium of reports from the participating stakeholders, in order to strengthen the work on the Global Compact for Migration.

5. Exchange of regional experiences.

6. Presentation by CAN of “Decision 878: Andean Migration Statute” as a success story in the region.

7. Reinforcing the need to strengthen the migration perspective by identifying the contributions of migrants and the benefits of regional cooperation. Coordinated action will allow for the efficient implementation of international cooperation and avoid duplication of efforts on migration issues.

Date: 2 and 3 April 2025

Venue: Bogotá, Colombia

Aimed at: Those responsible for the consular area in LAC countries

Format: Hybrid (face-to-face and virtual via Zoom)

Language: Spanish and English (simultaneous interpretation will be provided)