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What do the letters RCM mean?

They are the initials of the Regional Conference on Migration.

What is the Regional Conference on Migration?

The RCM is a Regional Consultative Process (RCP), that is voluntary, non-binding and operates by consensus. It provides a space for respectful, frank, and honest discussions among Member Countries on regional and international migration, ensuring greater coordination, transparency, and cooperation.

This multilateral forum works to foster regional efforts to strengthen migration governance; protect the human rights of migrants, especially of those in vulnerable situations; promote appropriate linkages between migration and sustainable development; define strategic priorities; and address the main challenges the region faces regarding migration; as well as strengthening, modernizing and managing borders.

Does the RCM have a Charter?

Yes, you can read the RCM Charter by clicking here. You can download the graphical version of the document here.

Does the RCM have a Strategic Plan?

Yes, you can download the RCM Strategic Plan here.

How else is the RCM known?

Puebla Process, because the first meeting was held in March 1996, in the city of Puebla, Mexico.

How and where was the RCM born?

It was the concrete result of the Presidential Summit called Tuxtla II, held in February 1996, which gave special significance to migration issues within the framework of the economic and social development of the region.

What is the purpose of the RCM?

  • To create a forum for open discussion of regional migration issues and the exchange of information and experiences to achieve greater coordination and cooperation in the region.
  • To unite the Member Countries to protect the human rights of migrants and create a network of coherent and adequate migration laws, in addition to strengthening the links between migration and development.

How many and which countries make up the RCM?

The RCM is comprised of eleven permanent Member Countries: Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and the United States.

What are the objectives of the RCM Member Countries?

  • To address international migration issues in a multilateral context.
  • To exchange information on policies or practices related to international migration.
  • To carry out the orderly movement of people, respecting the human rights of the migrant population.

What are the main bodies that the RCM comprises?

  • Meeting of Vice-Ministers
  • PPT of the RCM
  • Regional Consultation Group on Migration (RCGM)
  • Working Groups: 1) Irregular and Mass Migration; 2) Protection; 3) Border Management y 4) Labor Migration
  • Executive Secretariat

What is the Vice-Ministerial Meeting of the RCM?

The Meeting of Vice-Ministers is the decision-making body of the RCM. It is attended at the Vice-Ministerial level (or equivalent) by migration-related agencies such as foreign affairs and immigration authorities of the Member Countries. The meetings are held every year, as well as extraordinarily, either face-to-face or virtually, when Member Countries so decide, either at the request of the PPT or at the initiative of another Member Country; its decisions are adopted by consensus.

What are the functions of the Regional Consultation Group on Migration (RCGM) of the RCM?

To implement and follow up on political agreements. It represents the technical and operational level of the RCM and covers the need of the countries of the region to promote cooperation and promote the exchange of information regarding issues specifically related to migration.

What are the functions of the Executive Secretariat of the RCM?

  • To support the Presidency Pro-Témpore (PPT) in organizing and monitoring the activities and initiatives of the RCM.
  • To follow up on the mandates and guidelines issued from each meeting, in accordance with the general guidelines and supervision of the PPT.
  • To assist the PPT in managing the process, including coordinating meetings and sharing information.

What are the main functions of the country that assumes the Presidency Pro-Témpore of the RCM?

  • To facilitate the coordination of the meetings of the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM) and the Regional Consultation Group on Migration (RCGM).
  • To make the call and send, through the Executive Secretary, the corresponding invitations for the RCM events.
  • To assume the general coordination and direction of the meetings and activities of the RCM that take place during its period.

How is the country that wishes to take on the Presidency Pro-Témpore (PPT) of the RCM designated?

It is appointed by consensus of the RCM Member Countries during the Vice-Ministerial Meeting. Countries interested in assuming it must announce it at the Plenary Meeting at least one year in advance.

How do countries with observer status participate in the RCM?

These are countries that participate in the open discussions of the Vice-Ministerial Meeting, but do not intervene in the items on the agenda, in the decision-making processes, or in the preparation of documents containing recommendations or commitments.

Which are the current observer countries of the RCM?

Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Jamaica, and Peru.

What is the role of international organizations in the RCM?

Their role is to support in the implementation of the projects that the governments determine; to provide information on the status of topics of interest; to provide technical advice and to give recommendations on specific aspects.

What are the international organizations that participate in the RCM?

  1. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
  2. United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean / Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Center (ECLAC / CELADE)
  3. Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)
  4. International Labor Organization (ILO)
  5. International Organization for Migration (IOM)
  6. United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
  7. Office of the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants of the United Nations Organization
  8. General Secretariat of the Ibero-American Conference (SEGIB)
  9. Central American Integration System (SICA)
  10. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
  11. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
  12. United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
  13. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

Are civil society organizations (NGOs) represented in the RCM?

To strengthen the dialogue between the RCM and civil society, various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) formed the Regional Network of Civil Society Organizations for Migration (RNCOM).

What is the function of the Regional Network of Civil Society Organizations for Migration (RNCOM)?

It works as the main interlocutor representing civil society organizations in the region that work on migration issues.

In what activities does the Regional Network of Civil Society Organizations for Migration (RNCOM) participate?

It currently participates in seminars and workshops of the RCM and has collaboration spaces in the work agendas of the RCM Working Groups, the Regional Consultation Group on Migration (RCGM) and the Vice-Ministerial Meeting.

What do you get out of RCM?

A Declaration adopted by consensus issued at the conclusion of each annual meeting.

What is the purpose of the RCM Declaration?

The Declaration of the RCM establishes the topics and guidelines that will guide both the actions and the activities of its 11 Member Countries, which will be carried out during the year following the Declaration. Some of the actions and activities are the development of cooperation and assistance projects, workshops, and training seminars.

Which country currently holds the Presidency Pro-Témpore of the RCM?

Belize.

Which country will take on the Pro Tempore Presidency of the RCM in 2025?

Costa Rica.

Are there any specialized publications produced by the RCM and where can I consult them?

Yes, you will find them in this hyperlink https://crmsv.org/es/publicaciones. Also, you can consult and download many topic-specific documents at https://temas.crmsv.org/. Feel free to check them out!