 We are, I believe, at an historic moment. In two months, many of us will meet again in Marrakesh to sign a landmark document, the Global Compact. And I want to take this opportunity to thank very emphatically the special representative of the Secretary General on International Migration, Louise Arbour, here present, for her dedication, her expertise in shepherding has to this point. Thank you, Louise. The Compact provides a new reference point for actors working on migration, including IOM itself. Though not legally binding, it is a comprehensive framework that offers both state and non-state actors the guiding principles for cooperating on migration and sharing responsibility for those who migrate. In these, it joins the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in setting out foundational objectives for the global community, which is further facilitated by a number of consultative and dialogue processes, not least the one for which we have come here together today. Allow me also to pay tribute to the work of ambassadors, your lover and Gomes Camacho, the co-facilitators that have provided the necessary support to a successful conclusion of the global compact. The energy and commitment that has led to the final text of the compact has been inspiring, even more so given the charge debate on migration that has emerged in many parts of the world since 2015. The compact has been forced in the shadow of a political crisis, not least here in Europe. However, the open and inclusive process of negotiating the text has brought an unprecedented number of member states together with civil society, UN agencies, and a wide range of experts to recognize commonly key areas of convergence, resolve critical questions of divergence, and set clear priorities for work. It has resulted, in my view, in a rounded and balanced document that acknowledges the urgency of a shared approach to managing migration without bowing to the panic narrative of crisis. A lot will depend on the voluntary engagement by member states to attain the objectives of the global compact. Today, here, we turn to the difficult task of transforming the words of the compact into action. IOM has been given a central role in the implementation of the global compact, a role that will require deep commitment and dedication. IOM staff and membership stand ready to take on this responsibility. And we look forward to forging stronger partnerships with actors in the UN system, with our member states, and beyond. This will take, I believe, several forms. The establishment of a UN network on migration will have a transformative effect on how all UN agencies coordinate on this key issue. This coordination will not stand alone, but nor will it seek to duplicate the many other valuable means of collaboration, whether the global forum on migration and development, or the many key regional consultation processes on migration in which IOM plays a key role. In one week's time, UN agencies will come together to establish the terms of reference and the mission statement of the network under the edges of the special representative. As coordinator and secretariat of the network, IOM is committed to executing its role in a full and open spirit of partnership and cooperation with its fellow UN agencies, building upon the strong and effective cooperation between agencies that we already witness on a daily basis at regional and country level. And in addition, IOM will ensure that all stakeholders and member states are well-informed on the activities of the network and can actively participate in its development. We welcome your views and your suggestions, and I look forward to hearing from you your thoughts, your perspectives during these two days. Second, a capacity-building mechanism will be established within the UN system designed to support implementation of the compact itself. We will hear tomorrow our government, civil society, and development banks might develop innovative solutions, new means to cooperate, and critically measure effort to build capacity. The proposed capacity-building mechanism includes a start-up fund in recognition of the fact that the work to proactively address the objectives of the compact will require strong financing from a variety of sources. Long-term funding strategies afford agencies the opportunity to invest in key aspects of migration support and reduce the risk that governments are forced to divert resources at last minute to address crises that might have been more effectively managed at an earlier point. Supporting states to have the confidence to look ahead rather than over their shoulders will have a ripple effect on how migration itself is perceived as an integral part of modern life and not just as a risk to be minimized. A prominent part will be devoted to address the deep root causes of migration, linking in an effective way migration and development policy. And finally, more broadly, the principles and philosophies exposed in the compact itself. IOM is already working on many, if not all, the objectives set out in the compact, and working with many of you to identify solutions to newly emerging challenges. Migration dynamics are increasingly complex. And that complexity has given rise to a never more diverse mobile migration population. Some people move for the purposes of work, family, even love. Many more find themselves moving for other compelling reasons, whether violence, disease, poverty, or disaster. We should remain vigilant in understanding how drivers of migration will continue to shift and develop strategies that can increase resilience, reduce vulnerability, and offer choices to those who move. For example, the compact highlights the impact that changes in our climate will bring to communities across the globe and seeks to further transcend coordination and coherent response, particularly at regional and sub-regional level. At the same time, IOM will stick to its DNA, a decentralized, flexible, cost-effective, capable to deliver tailor-made solutions, and above all, close to migrants. While designing structures which can correspond to the overlapping and sometimes conflicting needs of countries of destination, transit, and origin, we must also incorporate the complex needs and desires of migrants themselves. It is all too easy when talking at the global level to forget who we are talking about. We need better data to track emerging patterns of migration and to map the characteristics of those who move. The use of modern technologies in this respect will be central. But this should not simply be an aggregation of numbers used flatly to indicate success or failure. Rather, data collection should be used smartly alongside qualitative research and strong evaluation processes to form the basis for policies that can be responsive to change and properly resourced the compact highlights that the physical movement of people is just the standing point. It will be just as important to create the conditions for migrants to fully contribute to the communities in which they find themselves, as well as communities at home. Looking beyond the journey and understanding the full experience of migration will be crucial to find common ground for cooperation. Implementation of the compact will not be a small undertaking. It lies upon the shoulders of member states. It needs to count on the cooperation and support of IOM. It certainly cannot be undertaken alone. The act of migration is individual. But to be successful requires the support of multitude of different players. In the same way, fulfilling the promise of the compact will require the active engagement and partnership of an international village of actors, many of which you yourselves represent here. Migration is, we all know, at the core of national sovereignty. National governments set the parameters for migration, both through their policies and their engagement with each other. Every country that experiences migration and mobility has lessons, both good and bad, to impart, not least on the need for institutional coherence and coordination. The compact can become the reference point around which those lessons are shaped and exchanged. But it is local governments who do much of the critical work within those parameters. The local level is where shelter is provided, where public services are delivered, where security is assured, and where employment opportunities are assessed. It is in short where migration is experienced. The Global Mayoral Forum, an annual dialogue led by cities on migration and development, highlights the role of cities as a catalyst for more coordinated policy. And indeed, we heard in the last session of this dialogue that was hosted in New York from several mayors who would like to see deeper collaboration and partnership on migration. Across the world, governments at all levels rely on the expertise and partnership of civil society, including key NGOs, unions, employer groups, and increasingly the private sector. These trusted partnerships between political actors and civil society will continue to be key in helping member states build capacity across the full range of objectives set out in the compact. Migrants themselves, when arriving in a new community, frequently look to their peers for immediate support. Diaspora groups have emerged as a key actor, not only for development, but as a catalyst to immigrant empowerment. The eDiaspora platform launched here today is not only an example of the power of migrant communities working together, but also a testament to the role of technology in creating new opportunities for cooperation, reducing the distance between those scattered around the world. Ladies and gentlemen, I think we are on the verge of a unique opportunity. And I believe that all of us together should invest in a more optimistic and constructive approach to migration, not by avoiding hard questions, but by leaning into them. Sometimes this will require a new and innovative solutions. More often, it will require learning from our successes as well as our mistakes. Building the capacity to do more and do it better. By striving for a stronger, more positive, proactive management of migration, the international community can support the millions of individuals who for a wide variety of reasons take the courageous step and dangerous step for some time to determine their futures by crossing borders. Our discussions today will strengthen the foundations of our partnership, the partnership between all stakeholders. And I hope that over the next two days, you will have the opportunity to learn, exchange ideas, and already begin to fulfill the promise of the global compact on migration ahead of the Intergovernmental Conference in December. Once more, I welcome you all, and hope you have very productive discussions.