Bangkok, 4 February - The Colombo Process (CP) hosted a side event during the Second Asia-Pacific Regional Review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) to facilitate a dialogue on strengthening regional cooperation in labour migration governance, advancing the implementation of the GCM.

Participants from Colombo Process Member States (CPMS), government representatives, key stakeholders from civil society, and UN representatives emphasized the critical role of partnerships and collaboration in shaping labour migration policies and practices that are evidence-based, inclusive, and mutually beneficial to migrant workers, communities, employers, and participating countries alike.

In his opening remarks, Anurag Bhushan, Additional Secretary, Emigration Policy & Welfare, Ministry of External Affairs, India, stated, "It is in our best interest to build on the momentum, and enhance cooperation to reaffirm the Colombo Process’s unwavering commitment to promoting a people-centred and rights-based approach to labour migration.”

In line with these sentiments the ensuing panel discussion provided an opportunity to  exchange views on effective strategies, opportunities, and challenges on enhancing regional cooperation.

Representing CPMS, Jocelyn Ortega, Labour Attaché, Department of Migrant Workers, Government of the Philippines and Asmat Nawaz, Senior Joint Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Pakistani and Human Resource Development, Government of Pakistan, elaborated on the Philippines’ pre-departure orientation programs and Pakistan’s migration governance reforms, respectively.

Representing civil society, Ma Macabuang, Programme Coordinator, Migrant Forum in Asia, raised concerns about access to justice for migrant workers. The ILO and UN Women also stressed the importance of increasing women’s participation through inclusive and equitable policies.

Catalina Devandas, Director-General’s Representative, Senior Director OPAC, IOM, underscored IOM’s continued commitment to supporting the Colombo Process, in her closing remarks.

“As we continue to build on the achievements of the Colombo Process, IOM is committed to continuing its role as a trusted partner. Through administrative and technical assistance, capacity building, and evidence-based policy advice, we look forward to working together with Member States to ensure that the policies and practices discussed here translate into tangible impacts for migrants and their families.” 

The Second Asia Pacific Regional Review of the GCM marks the inaugural occasion in which the Colombo Process participated in a review of the GCM. To commemorate this milestone, the Colombo Process submitted a comprehensive overview of the Colombo Process' contributions to the achievement of key GCM objectives; issued a joint CPMS statement highlighting the progress made by the CPMS in the areas of ethical recruitment, skills recognition and gender-responsive migration policies; and organized an exhibition booth to showcase CPMS best practices, research and innovative solutions in the implementation of GCM objectives.

The side event was co-hosted by the Government of India, Chair of the Colombo Process (2024-2026) and the Government of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Colombo Process Technical Support Unit based in IOM Sri Lanka, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).

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For more information on the Colombo Process, please visit: Colombo Process

For more information, please contact:

Kavindya Jayasundara, Project Assistant, E-mail: kjayasu@iom.int

Asel Kularatne, Communications Officer, E-mail: akularatne@iom.int