NAP 2026–30 launched to promote safe migration

Bangladesh has launched the National Action Plan (NAP) 2026�"2030 to implement the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting migrant workers and maximising migration’s contribution to national development.

The NAP was unveiled at a ceremony in the capital on Sunday. It was jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, the co-chairs of the Bangladesh Migration Compact Taskforce (BMCT), with technical support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The plan had earlier received Cabinet approval on 21 May 2026.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury attended the function as the chief guest. It was chaired by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed.

As special guests, State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin, and IOM’s Deputy Director General (Operations) Ugochi Daniels were present at the event.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and Expatriates’ Welfare Secretary Md Mokhtar Ahmed also addressed the gathering as BMCT co-chairs.

The event also included a debriefing on the outcomes of the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) 2026, highlighting Bangladesh’s role and contributions to the global migration agenda.

Speakers stressed the importance of sustained cooperation among government agencies, international organisations, civil society, the private sector, and migrant communities to ensure the successful implementation of the five-year action plan.

They reiterated the government’s commitment to making migration safe, orderly and regular, safeguarding the rights and dignity of Bangladeshi migrants, expanding legal migration pathways, and strengthening migration governance in line with international commitments.

The programme also featured Bangladesh’s renewed pledges to implement the Global Compact for Migration, remarks from civil society representatives, and the formal unveiling of the National Action Plan.