Bangladesh unveils migration action plan for 2026-2030.
Bangladesh today unveiled its National Action Plan (NAP) 2026-2030 in the capital for the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), marking a significant step towards strengthening migration governance, safeguarding migrant rights and maximizing migration's contribution to sustainable national development.
The five-year roadmap, approved by the Cabinet on May 21, was launched at a high-level event jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Prepared with technical support under the European Union-funded Prottasha-II Project, implemented by IOM, the action plan provides a comprehensive framework for translating Bangladesh's commitments under the GCM into coordinated national policies and actions.
It aims to promote safe, orderly and regular migration through stronger institutional coordination, enhanced protection mechanisms and closer engagement with national and international stakeholders.
The programme also highlighted the outcomes of the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) 2026, showcasing Bangladesh's leadership, progress and contributions to the global migration agenda.
Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury attended the event as chief guest, while State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam presided over the programme.
Among the special guests State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Hoque, Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin, IOM Deputy Director General for Operations Ugochi Daniels, United Nations Interim Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Carol Flore-Smereczniak, and IOM Bangladesh Chief of Mission Dr Laura Tomm Bonde were present.
Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Secretary Md Mokhtar Ahmed, co-chairs of the Bangladesh Migration Compact Taskforce (BMCT), presented the National Action Plan and shared Bangladesh's experience and engagement at IMRF 2026.
Addressing the gathering, speakers emphasized that effective implementation of the action plan would depend on sustained collaboration among government agencies, international development partners, civil society organizations, the private sector and migrant communities.
They reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring safe, orderly and regular migration, protecting the rights and dignity of Bangladeshi migrants and leveraging migration as a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable development.
The event concluded with the formal unveiling of the National Action Plan, a documentary highlighting Bangladesh's migration journey, achievements and challenges, thematic exhibitions and reflections from civil society representatives, reaffirming the country's renewed commitment to the effective implementation of the Global Compact for Migration.
