UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2026

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?

  1. 1, 2 and 3
  2. 1 and 3 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 2 only

Answer

Correct Answer

2 and 3 only

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect because the Colombo Process is a voluntary regional consultative process and its decisions are non-binding, even though discussions generally proceed by consensus. Statement 2 is correct: the Abu Dhabi Dialogue is a voluntary and non-binding consultative process involving Asian labour-origin and destination countries and focuses on contractual labour mobility. Statement 3 is correct: the Global Forum on Migration and Development is a voluntary, informal and non-binding forum that emerged following a proposal by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Topics: international relations, labour mobility, migration governance, multilateral cooperation