Colombia’s Commitment to Disaster Displacement in 2024: From Global Policy Development to Regional Leadership

Under the theme of “Regular Migration, Labour Mobility and Human Rights: Pillars of Development and Well-Being of Societies,” Colombia will focus its programming on advancing dialogue and cooperation on human mobility, including in the context of disasters and climate change, based on the principle of shared responsibility and with a focus on South-South and triangular cooperation to promote the sharing of resources, information and good practices to facilitate safe movement. In particular, Roundtable 4 aims to enhance the opportunities for safe and regular migration in the context of climate change to foster adaptation for affected populations, promote sustainable development growth and a just transition.

Beyond its new role as Chair of the GFMD, Colombia has already established itself as a central actor in addressing the intersection of human mobility, disasters and climate change. It has engaged in several critical processes, each of which provide entry points to further strengthen the existing policy and legal landscape in this area.

Earlier this year, Colombia co-hosted the third thematic consultation of the Cartagena+40 process focused on disaster displacement in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD). This consultation explored how the region can build on the Cartagena+40 process to strengthen protection for people displaced across borders in disaster contexts, including the adverse effects of climate change. The event convened key stakeholders to reaffirm the region’s commitment to addressing disaster displacement and to inform the drafting of the Chile Plan of Action 2024-2034, which is envisioned to include a programmatic chapter on this topic.

Furthermore, in 2024, Colombia assumed the Chairmanship of the South American Conference on Migration (SACM) where it prioritizes addressing migration in the context of disasters and climate change. Under Colombia’s leadership, SACM has brought human mobility in these contexts to the forefront of regional migration discussions. As part of these efforts, Colombia is hosting a MICIC (Migrants in Countries in Crisis) training for consular offices in the region, reinforcing its role in promoting safe and dignified mobility for all those affected by crises.

In addition to its regional leadership, Colombia is also making strides in national policy development. The PDD has been working closely with Colombia’s Department of National Planning (DNP) to map advances, identify gaps and build on existing cross-policy areas to develop national guidelines on disaster displacement. These guidelines will provide a framework for better addressing disaster displacement, ensuring that those affected are protected and supported, while promoting a human rights-based approach to policy development. To this end, Colombia recently hosted a workshop to contribute to a better understanding of the current state of public policies and knowledge at the national level on displacement in disaster and climate change contexts.

Alongside these policy developments, Colombia has also made notable progress in the legal domain. Earlier this year, the country’s commitment to addressing disaster displacement was further reinforced by a landmark ruling from its High Constitutional Court. In this ruling (T-123 2024), the Court recognized the right to protection for individuals displaced due to environmental reasons, including disaster contexts, setting a precedent not only in Colombia but across Latin America.

These combined efforts – policy development, legal advancements, and regional leadership – underscore Colombia’s comprehensive approach  and commitment to addressing disaster displacement. As it assumes its role as GFMD Chair, Colombia is uniquely positioned to leverage these engagements to lead discussions on human mobility and climate change at both regional and national levels. By drawing on its own experiences and those of its regional neighbors, Colombia has the necessary expertise to foster a global dialogue that recognizes the unique human mobility challenges associated with the adverse effects of climate change faced by countries in the Global South. At the same time, it can cross-fertilize across various processes to strengthen cooperation and partnerships with diverse stakeholders working to address disaster displacement.

H.E. Amb. Gustavo Gallón, the Permanent Representative of Colombia, along with colleagues from the Permanent Mission of Colombia, following the proceedings at the GFMD 2024-2025 Launch Event.

Header photo: Cruz Roja Colombiana / Other photos: GFMD