Bangladesh unveiled Sunday a five-year National Action Plan for strengthening safe, orderly and regular migration, reaffirming its commitment to protect expatriate workers.
The National Action Plan (2026-2030), developed to implement the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), was launched in Dhaka by the government in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The initiative is jointly led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment through the Bangladesh Migration Compact Taskforce (BMCT), with technical support from the IOM, against the backdrop of myriad problems involving migration across the world.
The plan development was supported by the European Union under the EU-funded Prottasha II project.
The launch comes at a time when overseas employment remains one of Bangladesh's most important economic lifelines, with millions of migrant workers contributing significantly to the country's foreign-exchange earnings through remittances.
The event also reviewed the outcomes of the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) 2026, where Bangladesh highlighted its experience and contributions to global-migration governance.
Officials said the forum underscored the need for "stronger international cooperation to ensure safer migration pathways and better protection for migrant workers".
The National Action Plan, approved by the cabinet on May 21 this year, sets out a framework for implementing Bangladesh's commitments under the Global Compact and coordinating migration-related policies across government institutions.
Speaking at the event, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury said, "The government remained committed to ensuring that migration takes place through safe and regular channels while safeguarding the rights and dignity of Bangladeshi migrants."
The programme was chaired by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and attended by State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque, Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin and IOM Deputy Director-General for Operations Ugochi Daniels, alongside senior government officials and development partners.
Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and Expatriates' Welfare Secretary Md Mokhtar Ahmed and the two co-chairs of the Bangladesh Migration Compact Taskforce outlined the priorities of the new action plan and reflected on Bangladesh's participation in the 2026 migration- review forum.
Speakers stressed that effective implementation of the plan would require sustained cooperation among government agencies, international organisations, civil-society groups, the private sector and migrant communities.
They argued that such collaboration would be essential to reducing migration risks, expanding legal migration opportunities and strengthening support systems for migrant workers and their families.
The event also saw Bangladesh announce renewed commitments towards implementing the Global Compact for Migration.
A documentary and thematic exhibition highlighted the country's progress, achievements and continuing challenges in managing migration in an increasingly complex global environment.
