It provides a flexible, multi-stakeholder space where governments can discuss the multi-dimensional aspects, opportunities and challenges related to migration, development, and the link between these two areas.

The GFMD process allows governments - in partnership with civil society, the private sector, the UN system, and other relevant stakeholders – to analyze and discuss sensitive issues, create consensus, pose innovative solutions, and share policy and practices.

Yet there was still a crippling lack of information and data and appropriate institutional structures and resources in many countries to achieve these; and importantly, "there was no single, all-encompassing global forum to bring together policy makers on the two critical issues of migration and development".

The GFMD has since remained as the largest "informal, non-binding, voluntary and government-led process", bringing together expertise from all regions and countries at all stages of economic, social and political development.

These institutional links have allowed the "inclusion of the voices and expertise of diverse stakeholders", including academia, NGOs, trade unions, the private sector, migrants and diaspora representatives as well as local authorities, in GFMD discussions.