Shama Obaed seeks stronger IOM support for skills-based migration

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today (5 July) called for enhanced cooperation from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to help transform Bangladesh’s migration sector into a skills-based, rights-based and well-governed system.

She made the call when the newly appointed IOM Chief of Mission in Bangladesh, Dr Laura Nicole Tomm-Bonde, paid a courtesy call on her at the foreign ministry, according to a ministry press release.

During the meeting, Shama reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment, as a Champion Country of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, to implementing the global migration framework.

She said the government is prioritising reforms to ensure safer, more orderly and sustainable labour migration.

The state minister also highlighted the government’s focus 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 in strengthening Bangladesh’s migration governance framework and sought greater 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 strengthening cooperation in line with the government’s priorities and commitments.

Both sides expressed hope that the Bangladesh-IOM partnership would deepen further to promote effective migration governance.