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What is the UN’s migration pact?

Negotiations leading to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration began in 2016, following the arrival of over one million people into Europe.

It's not legally binding and allows countries to remain in charge of their own immigration policy but commits signatories to improving co-operation on international migration.

The pact was agreed by all 193 members, except the United States, in July.

But at the ceremony to adopt the text on 10 December, only 164 countries formally signed it.

Among those who refused to adopt the deal - in addition to the United States - were Hungary, Austria, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Chile and Australia.

The report sets out 23 objectives for safe, orderly and regular migration.

Some of the objectives and policy recommendations aim to:

• gather better data on international migration

• minimise factors that compel people to leave their own country

• provide migrants with a proof of legal identity

• reduce vulnerabilities in migration, including "the conditions they face in countries of origin, transit and destination"

• combat smuggling and people trafficking

The agreement emphasises that all migrants are entitled to universal human rights and aspires to eliminate all forms of discrimination, including racism, xenophobia and intolerance against migrants and their families.

The compact "reaffirms the sovereign right of states to determine their national migration policy". The European Commission says it will have no legal effect on national legal systems.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, noted that illegal migration had triggered significant fears in some countries but these fears had been "used by the opponents of the pact to spread false information".

At the same event, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, said "myths" surrounded the agreement.