IOM pledges continued support for Bangladesh's legal migration priorities
During the meeting, Sison also acknowledged IOM's support in reintegration, climate resilience and institutional capacity building
International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reiterated its support towards the priorities of Bangladesh for expanding the legal pathways for migration including skill matching, awareness campaigns, elder care and vocational training etc.
The pledge was made when visiting Director of the Global Office of the (IOM) in Washington DC Michele Sison called on the Acting Foreign Secretary Md Ruhul Alam Siddique on Monday at the foreign ministry here, said a ministry's press release today.
During the meeting, Sison also acknowledged IOM's support in reintegration, climate resilience and institutional capacity building.
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The acting foreign secretary reaffirmed Bangladesh's zero-tolerance policy on human trafficking and stressed the need for global collaboration in integrated border management.
Sison briefed the foreign secretary about the recent visit by a US Congressional staff delegation to Bangladesh, organized under the "IOM Field Education Program," aimed at giving firsthand insight to US policy makers about the IOM's field operations in Bangladesh and other related initiatives.
She applauded Bangladesh's humanitarian commitment in sheltering over a million Rohingyas.
In his response the acting foreign secretary reiterated the urgent need for sustained international support, particularly as global attention and funding is on the decline.
Siddique emphasised on the importance of safe, voluntary and dignified return of the Rohingyas to their homeland.
The IOM Director expressed her keen interest for participating at the proposed High-Level Meeting on Rohingya crisis to be organised at the sidelines of the 80th UNGA.
She highlighted the importance of organizing such events at the highest global platforms to enliven the discussion on one of the worst humanitarian crises of the world.
The acting foreign secretary also highlighted the growing concern of climate-induced displacement in Bangladesh and welcomed IOM's efforts to build a database on climate-displaced persons in collaboration with CEGIS.
Reportedly this will be IOM's first official endeavour in Bangladesh to count internally displaced persons.
The meeting was concluded with a shared commitment to deepening collaboration between Bangladesh and IOM in addressing global migration and humanitarian challenges.
