State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam -File photo

DHAKA, April 6, 2026 (BSS) – State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today said Bangladesh remains committed to ensuring migration is governed with dignity, protection and rights of migrants while maximising mutual benefits ahead of the IMRF 2026.

She made the remarks at a national preparatory consultation in Dhaka for the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) 2026, to be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from May 4 to 8.

The state minister said the consultation offers an important opportunity to assess progress and address challenges in implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in Bangladesh.

“Our shared objective remains clear to ensure that migration is governed in a manner that upholds the dignity, protection and rights of people on the move, while maximising mutual benefits for countries of origin, transit and destination alike,” she said.

“I hope that our discussions today will offer thoughtful insights and practical recommendations to further strengthen our policies and institutional frameworks,” she added.

Speakers at the consultation emphasised the importance of inclusive dialogue, continued collaboration and innovation in shaping effective migration governance.

They reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to advancing safe, orderly and regular migration through strengthened partnerships and policy coherence.

The government, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as coordinator and secretariat of the Bangladesh United Nations Network on Migration (BDUNNM), and with support from the European Union (EU), organised the consultation.

The event brought together 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 progress in implementing the GCM and identified priorities for the coming years.

Adopted in 2018, the GCM provides a comprehensive framework for international cooperation on migration, while the IMRF serves as the global platform to review its implementation.

Bangladesh has demonstrated strong commitment to the GCM through sustained policy engagement and multi-stakeholder collaboration, officials said.

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 noted in areas including labour migration, migrant protection, reintegration and addressing the drivers of migration.

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Hoque said the consultation enables stakeholders to take stock of progress and set future priorities.

“Through inclusive dialogue and coordinated action, we aim to ensure that migration continues to contribute to the well-being of our migrant workers and the sustainable development of our nation,” he said.

Among others, 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 spoke.

The consultation included thematic sessions on safe migration pathways, rights-based border governance, migrant protection and integration, and evidence-based policy making.