Photo credit: BSS
Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today reaffirmed the government’s priority to transform her country’s migration sector into a skills-based, rights-based and well-governed system, while seeking enhanced cooperation from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
BSS News reports that she made the remarks when the newly-appointed Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration in Bangladesh, Dr Laura Nicole Tomm-Bonde, paid a courtesy call on her at the foreign ministry, said a press release by the ministry.
During the meeting, the state minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment, as a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) Champion Country, to implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.
She said the government is prioritising the transformation of the country’s migration sector into a skills-based, rights-based and well-governed system to ensure safer, more orderly and sustainable labour migration.
She also underscored the government’s strong emphasis on skills development. recognition of qualifications, ethical recruitment, protection of migrant workers in destination countries, expansion of regular labour mobility pathways and sustainable integration of returnee migrants.
Shama appreciated IOM’s continued technical assistance and cooperation in strengthening Bangladesh’s migration governance framework and called for enhanced support from the organization to advance the government’s migration priorities.
In her response, Dr Tomm-Bonde praised Bangladesh’s leadership in migration governance and reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation in line with the government’s vision, priorities and commitments.
Both sides expressed hope that the Bangladesh-IOM partnership would be further deepened to promote effective migration governance in the country.
