State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Sunday called for enhanced international cooperation to expand regular migration pathways and prevent irregular migration, promote ethical recruitment and strengthen the skills of prospective migrants in line with evolving international labour-market demands. 

She sought IOM’s support in matching Bangladesh’s workforce, with global demand, promoting talent mobility and facilitating talent partnerships with destination countries, including in healthcare, caregiving and agriculture.

The issues were discussed when Deputy Director General (DDG) of Operations of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Ugochi Daniels paid a courtesy call on her in Dhaka. 

The IOM-DDG was accompanied by Iori Kato, Regional Director of IOM for Asia and Pacific, and Priya Marwah, Special Adviser to the IOM-DDG. Senior Officials of the Ministry were also present. 

The State Minister underscored the importance of protecting the rights and welfare of migrant workers, particularly women, through awareness raising and appropriate support services. 

Appreciating IOM’s assistance in evacuating and repatriating stranded Bangladeshi nationals from crisis-affected countries, Shama Obaed called for continued cooperation on safe return and sustainable reintegration, climate-related mobility, and coordinated action against human trafficking and migrant smuggling. 

She appreciated IOM’s humanitarian assistance for the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals and called for international efforts to create conditions conducive to their safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar.

Ugochi Daniels lauded the Bangladesh Government’s approaches and initiatives towards establishing a sustainable migration governance. 

She appreciated the commitments and leadership of Bangladesh in championing safe, orderly and regular migration in global discourse.

Both sides expressed their commitment to further strengthening the Bangladesh-IOM partnership in advancing safe, orderly and regular migration, protecting migrants’ rights and supporting Bangladesh’s migration and humanitarian priorities.

During the meeting, the State Minister expressed appreciation for IOM’s longstanding partnership with Bangladesh in advancing safe, orderly and regular migration, and supporting Bangladesh’s development and humanitarian priorities. 

Reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment as a GCM Champion Country, she expressed hope that the GCM NAP would provide a coordinated and action-oriented framework for translating the objectives of the Compact into effective national implementation.