New york: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday (New York time) emphasized the importance of migration and the protection of migrants and seafarers. Speaking during the special plenary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters here, Marcos said migration is 'a force for good and that migrants contribute to sustainable development in the countries of their origin, in transit, and in their destinations.'

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos highlighted that migrants, including seafarers, play a critical role in connecting nations. He stressed that migrant rights should serve as a unifying principle for governments worldwide, rather than a source of division. Marcos reiterated the Philippines' support for the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration and urged the international community to back the upcoming International Migration Review Forum (IMRF).

The Second IMRF is scheduled to take place from May 5 to 8 at the UN headquarters, providing a platform for assessing progress and sharing practices on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration. In light of funding challenges faced by the UN, Marcos expressed the Philippines' advocacy for reforms aimed at enabling the UN to fulfill its mandates while reducing bureaucracy and fragmentation.