We are happy that our work in the Silk Routes region is recognised and applaud the commitment that the EU should build on the important progress made through dedicated dialogues and frameworks. Working in partnership with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, and Pakistan is highlighted in the new EU Migration Pact and we welcome this.
Dushanbe: Today ICMPD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment of the Republic of Tajikistan. This Memorandum represents the starting point of a new chapter in bilateral cooperation and marks the establishment of a Migrant Resource Centre in Dushanbe.
ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger highlighted that “this MoU marks an important step in strengthening our relations with Tajikistan. From this moment onwards, both parties have agreed to engage in a partnership which will build - and manage - regular, orderly and safe migration”.
Islamabad: ICMPD organised training on document security for the 20 front-line officers of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan working at Islamabad International Airport. The fraudulent use of identity and travel documents represents a threat to the security of countries and their citizens, the economy, and global commerce, as it facilitates a wide range of cross border crimes and terrorism. Funded by the European Union, the training was organised to strengthen the capacity of the participating officers to detect forged documents, profile counterparts and take a decision during the 1st line document check for further investigation.
Vienna: The EU-funded Integrated Border Management in the Silk Routes (IBM Silk Routes) project seeks to promote prosperity and enhance security through supporting better intra-service, inter-agency and international cooperation on border management in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Iran and Pakistan. 21 months into the project we take stock of the impact we have had, how border management has changed in the region during this period and assess what is coming next.
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Dhaka: We have launched a two-month campaign in Bangladesh to raise awareness on migration issues.
Vienna/ Islamabad: We are delighted to announce the publication of our Policy Brief “NATIONAL EMIGRATION AND WELFARE POLICY FOR OVERSEAS PAKISTANIS: Processes, Challenges and Responses for Action”.
Dushanbe/Vienna: We are happy to inform that on 10 September, ICMPD team had as very productive online meeting with a high-level delegation from Tajikistan, headed by the Labour Minister Ms. Gurlu Jabborzoda.The Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment of Population of the Republic of Tajikistan informed us that the government gave its approval to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ICMPD. The MOU will become the cornerstone of a deeper, more targeted cooperation and pave the way for the establishment of a Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Baghdad/Vienna: We are delighted to learn that after four years working with the Ministry of Migration and Displaced to develop a national-level policy for Iraqis abroad, this is one step closer to adoption. The funding of the European Union enabled ICMPD to deliver and support policy development in the Republic of Iraq.
Vienna: It is purely a matter of luck that many lives were not lost. Irregular migration - along with human trafficking and people smuggling - can lead to exploitation and misery. Well-managed migration is the only solution that benefits destination countries as well as migrants.
Link to BBC article:
Vienna and Dhaka: Today marks the official launch of our Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) website and Facebook page in Bangladesh.
Kabul: Afghanistan’s capacity to strategically manage its national borders in an effective and efficient manner was bolstered through technical support provided to senior government officials in two events held from 23 – 26 August 2020 in Kabul, with international experts and trainers connecting online.
Dhaka: We are conducting training sessions on 25-27 August and 31 August-2 September for media in Bangladesh. 25 representatives from national and local media are taking part.
Islamabad / Lahore: We are delighted to announce that our Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in Pakistan now has 50,000 followers. This milestone has been reached thanks to the valuable information that it is providing citizens, and its popularity continues to grow.
Lack of access to services and information, including changed border processes, repatriations, poor health care, among other factors, place South Asian migrants at risk. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the vulnerability of Afghan, Pakistani and Bangladeshi migrants, and rendered accurate information even more necessary. ICMPD’s Migrant Resource Centres, funded by the European Union, reach out and provide reliable information to empower migrants in an effort to address this challenge.
Migration is an important and extremely sensitive global political issue, and the COVID-19 pandemic has not made this situation any simpler. Nonetheless, migration will not cease. Our objective is to further strengthen regular and well-managed migration and the mobility of people and goods across borders in the Silk Routes region.
Link to article: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/08/17/does-covid-19-mean-the-age-of-global-migration-is-over.html