The government has launched the Migration Compact Taskforce with an eye to easing the implementation, follow-up and review of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM).
The taskforce will provide a platform to ensure full support and cooperation from all relevant stakeholders through a 'whole of government' approach.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said this in a press statement issued on Tuesday.
The taskforce will include high-level representatives from the government and also from the Bangladesh United Nationals Network on Migration (BDUNNM).
Representatives will be from the Prime Minister's Office and other relevant ministries, including foreign ministry, expatriates' welfare and overseas employment ministry, and home ministry.
Government officials and representatives from United Nations agencies of the BDUNNM were present at the event held at foreign ministry.
The GCM became the first inter-governmentally negotiated agreement in 2018, prepared under the auspices of the United Nations, covering all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner.
Foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen says Bangladesh has consistently pursued the issue of migration as a top priority in its diplomatic engagements at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.
"We'd remain committed, despite the difficulties experienced in the last two years and more, to meaningfully deliver on our recognised role as a 'Champion Country' for the GCM," he maintains.
Expatriates' welfare and overseas employment secretary Dr Ahmed Munirus Saleheen says Bangladesh has sent more than 13-million people abroad in the last 50 years.
"These migrants have contributed to our nation's development. Migration is complex and multidimensional, and the GCM is a global tool that supports us to manage it safely and with dignity for migrants."
"The taskforce… will help us with this concerted effort. It will provide a consultative space for policy and decision-making coordination, information exchange and peer review," Dr Saleheen adds.
UN resident coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis says, "This taskforce is another step forward in our joint efforts to ensure safety, dignity and human rights of all migrants and effectively govern migration."
Abdusattor Esoev, IOM Bangladesh chief of mission and BDUNNM coordinator, highlights that migration provides immense opportunity and benefits for migrants, host communities and communities of origin.
However, when poorly regulated, it can create significant challenges. The GCM leverages the overall benefits of migration while addressing its risks and challenges for individuals and communities.
The BDUNNM commits to working closely with the Taskforce to support the implementation of the GCM in Bangladesh, cites Mr Esoev.
