Consider the following statements about platforms for multilateral co-operation : 1. The 'Colombo Process' is a regional consultative process in which member states take binding decisions by consensus. 2. The 'Abu Dhabi Dialogue' is a voluntary non-binding consultative process among Asian countries of labour origin and destination to facilitate regional cooperation on contractual labour mobility. 3. The 'Global Forum for Migration and Development', created upon the proposal of a former UN Secretary General, is a voluntary forum whose decisions are non-binding in nature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Option (C) — Statements 2 and 3 only are correct

• The Colombo Process is a Regional Consultative Process (RCP) established in 2003, comprising 12 Asian labour-sending states to discuss management of overseas employment and contractual labour.
• The Abu Dhabi Dialogue was launched in 2008 as a forum bringing together Asian countries of labour origin and destination (Colombo Process states plus GCC countries) for dialogue on temporary contractual labour mobility.
• The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) was proposed by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2006 and is an informal, voluntary, state-led process that produces non-binding outcomes.
• All three platforms are consultative in nature and do not produce legally binding decisions on member states.

• Statement 1: The Colombo Process is a regional consultative process in which member states take binding decisions by consensus: Incorrect. The Colombo Process is a non-binding consultative forum; its decisions and recommendations are not binding on member states.
• Statement 2: The Abu Dhabi Dialogue is a voluntary non-binding consultative process among Asian countries of labour origin and destination to facilitate regional cooperation on contractual labour mobility: Correct. It is indeed a voluntary, non-binding ministerial consultative process linking Asian labour-sending and receiving countries.
• Statement 3: The Global Forum for Migration and Development, created upon the proposal of a former UN Secretary General, is a voluntary forum whose decisions are non-binding in nature: Correct. GFMD was proposed by Kofi Annan and remains an informal, voluntary, state-led process with non-binding outcomes.