Dhaka: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today stated Bangladesh’s commitment to ensuring migration governance that upholds the dignity, protection, and rights of migrants while maximizing mutual benefits ahead of the IMRF 2026. She made these remarks at a national preparatory consultation in Dhaka for the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) 2026, scheduled to be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from May 4 to 8.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the state minister emphasized that the consultation provides a crucial opportunity to evaluate progress and address challenges in implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in Bangladesh. She reiterated the shared objective of governing migration in a manner that protects the rights of people on the move and maximizes mutual benefits for countries involved. She expressed hope that the discussions would yield insightful recommendations to enhance policies and institutional frameworks.
Consultation speakers highlighted the necessity of inclusive dialogue, ongoing collaboration, and innovative approaches in effective migration governance. They reaffirmed Bangladesh’s dedication to advancing safe, orderly, and regular migration through strengthened partnerships and policy coherence.
The government organized the consultation in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the coordinator, and secretariat of the Bangladesh United Nations Network on Migration (BDUNNM), with support from the European Union (EU). The event gathered representatives from government ministries, UN agencies, civil society, development partners, academia, and the private sector.
Co-chaired by the Bangladesh Migration Compact Taskforce, the consultation reviewed the progress in implementing the GCM and identified future priorities. Adopted in 2018, the GCM provides a framework for international cooperation on migration, while the IMRF serves as a global platform to review its implementation. Bangladesh has shown a strong commitment to the GCM through sustained policy engagement and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
The recent soft adoption of the National Action Plan for GCM (2026-2030) marks a significant step in aligning national migration governance with global commitments, according to IOM. Progress has been observed in areas such as labor migration, migrant protection, reintegration, and addressing migration drivers.
State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Hoque remarked that the consultation allows stakeholders to assess progress and establish future priorities. He emphasized that through inclusive dialogue and coordinated action, the aim is to ensure that migration contributes to the well-being of migrant workers and the nation’s sustainable development.
Other notable speakers included Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Mokhtar Ahmed, IOM Bangladesh Chief of Mission Giuseppe Loprete, EU Counsellor Jurate Smalskyte Merville, Italian Embassy Migration Expert Giuseppe Di Giovanni, and WARBE DF Chairman Syed Saiful Haque. The consultation featured thematic sessions on safe migration pathways, rights-based border governance, migrant protection and integration, and evidence-based policymaking.