MARRAKECH, Dec 10 (AP): More than 160 countries have agreed on a nonbinding UN migration accord that seeks to ensure the safe, orderly and humane movement of people around the world, over the outspoken disapproval of the United States and several other countries.
High-level government delegates including German Chancellor Angela Merkel have given their backing to the UN's Global Compact for Migration approved by acclamation by 164 countries on Monday, culminating years of efforts supported by US President Barack Obama but rejected by the Trump administration.
Defenders say migration can help national economies by rejuvenating the workforce in aging rich countries and by providing a needed source of cash to poorer countries through remittances. They say orderly migration will save lives.
Opponents say the pact could challenge national sovereignty and they fear an influx of migrants.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has sought to dispel "falsehoods" and "myths" over an international agreement on safe, humane and orderly migration.
The U.N. chief spoke at the start of a two-day international conference about the "Global Compact on Migration," moments before about 150 countries were set to agree to it by acclamation.
The United States and at least seven other countries have pulled out amid concerns about migrant flows and national sovereignty.
Guterres called the compact a "road map to prevent suffering and chaos" aimed to benefit everyone. He said over 60,000 migrants have died on the move since 2000, calling that "a source of collective shame."
He said the pact won't allow the UN to impose migration policies on member states and is not a legally-binding treaty.
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