The UN General Assembly voted on Wednesday to endorse the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.

The General Assembly’s vote tally included 152 votes in favor, 12 abstentions, and five votes against, which included the US. The US withdrew its participation from the compact last year due to inconsistencies with its own migration policies.

Previously adopted in Marrakech on December 10 by 164 Member States, this new official endorsement means the non-binding agreement now serves as the framework for a cooperative international migration policy.

According to a statement from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the endorsement represents:

solidarity with migrants in situations of appalling vulnerability and abuse. It underscores the need to anticipate future trends, from labour markets to the impacts of climate change. And it highlights the imperative of devising more legal pathways for migration, which would also help to crack down on trafficking and exploitation.

To address issues inherent to modern migration, the agreement lists 23 objectives to improve migration conditions and immigrant protections. This list includes minimizing the adverse drivers and structural factors that compel people to leave their countries of origin, as well as empowering migrants and societies to realize full inclusion and social cohesion.