Bangladesh has called for stronger international cooperation to stop irregular migration, protect migrant workers’ rights, and ensure fair recruitment, decent jobs, and equal wages for migrants around the world.
Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury made the call while speaking at the General Debate of the Second International Migration Review Forum at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on Thursday.
According to a message received on Friday, the minister said Bangladesh is improving accountability and increasing migrants’ access to justice through a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” approach.
He said the government has formed a Migration Compact Taskforce and adopted a National Action Plan for 2026–2030 to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration under the UN Global Compact for Migration.
Ariful Haque Choudhury also said Bangladesh has already completed seven of the 10 commitments it made during the first review forum. The country has also submitted six new pledges and joined two regional initiatives while presenting its first Voluntary National Review on the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration.
Highlighting climate change as a growing cause of migration, the minister called for reliable financing and greater technical support for countries that are highly vulnerable to climate impacts.
He also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to working closely with international partners to promote safe migration and ensure the dignified return and sustainable reintegration of migrants.