The newly-appointed Chief of Mission of the IOM in Bangladesh, Dr. Laura  Nicole Tomm-Bonde, met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed  Islam at the foreign ministry. Photo: MoFA

DHAKA, July 5, 2026 (BSS)- State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed 
Islam today reaffirmed the government's priority to transform Bangladesh's 
migration sector into a skills-based, rights-based and well-governed system, 
while seeking enhanced cooperation from the International Organization for 
Migration (IOM).

She made the remarks when the newly-appointed Chief of Mission of the 
International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Bangladesh, Dr. Laura 
Nicole Tomm-Bonde, paid a courtesy call on her at the foreign ministry here, 
said a ministry's press release. 

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.

Shama 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 reintegration of returnee migrants.

She appreciated IOM's continued technical assistance and cooperation in 
strengthening Bangladesh's migration governance framework and called for 
enhanced support from the organisation to advance the government's migration 
priorities.

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.