A UAE delegation to the United Nations yesterday began an eighteen-month programme of engagement in high-level intergovernmental negations on labour mobility. The delegation, from the Ministry of Human and Resources and Emiratisation, joined the UAE’s Mission to the UN in New York in speaking at a forum convened by the International Organisation for Migration, IOM.

The intergovernmental negotiations, under the auspices of the United Nations, are designed to lead to a Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, a non-binding commitment to improve the international governance of labour mobility.

Speaking at the forum, the UAE delegation highlighted the role of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue, which plays an important role in coordinating relations between GCC states and countries of labour origin. Addressing other member states of the United Nations, the delegation emphasised that regional cooperation is critical in ensuring that labour mobility is well regulated and that the benefits of labour mobility are built on.

In particular, the Abu Dhabi Dialogue has been working to create innovative solutions in three distinct areas: fair recruitment practices, mutual recognition of skills, and the use of technology to regulate labour markets.

The delegation emphasised that it is critical that insights from regional consultative processes like the Abu Dhabi Dialogue find their way into the Global Compact on Migration.

Dr. Omar Abdul Rahman Salem Al Nuaimi, Assistant Under-Secretary for Communications and International Relations at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, who led the UAE delegation, said, "The Abu Dhabi Dialogue is increasingly recognised as one of the most active of the regional consultative processes, and will be an important example when formulating the Global Compact on Migration on how states can cooperate on key issues around labour mobility. This event in New York marks an important moment for us to begin our involvement in the process."