On 9, 10 and 11 July 2007 the first meeting of the Global Forum on Migration and Development took place in Brussels. The governmental discussions on 10 and 11 July were preceded by a meeting of civil society representatives on 9 July. This marked the start of a new global process designed to enhance the positive impact of migration on development (and vice versa) by adopting a more consistent policy approach, identifying new instruments and best practices, exchanging know-how and experience about innovative tactics and methods and, finally, establishing cooperative links between the various actors involved.

The second meeting of the Global Forum on Migration and Development took place from 27 to 30 October 2008, in Manila, Philippines. The GFMD in Manila revolved around the central theme, "Protecting and Empowering Migrants for Development".