On 21st February 2025 in Shymkent, Kazakhstan key government officials and policymakers from various migration sectors convened for a one-day workshop titled “Data-Driven Migration Policies in Kazakhstan: Evidence-Based Decision Making”. Organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the main objectives of the workshop were to strengthen the migration data system by enhancing the capacity of the Government of Kazakhstan to integrate data into international sources on migration and to align it with international standards by introducing commonly accepted operational definitions consistent with international best practices. 

Workshop attendees were senior representatives from multiple governmental agencies, such as the representatives of the  executive body of the Migration Services Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs,   regional body of the Migration Services Department of a number of regions of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, the Border Service of the National Security Committee, the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms, and other state entities. 

Throughout the workshop, the discussions centered on understanding migration dynamics in Kazakhstan, followed by an exploration of the need for a comprehensive, whole of government approach to migration data. The Senior Regional Project Manager from the IOM Global Data Institute, Ms. Vivianne Van Der Vorst, led the sessions on key strategies for implementing effective migration data systems, offering insights into global best practices for developing effective migration data systems.  

A key highlight of the workshop was a collaborative session focused on developing a unified management structure for migration terms and/or roadmaps. In this session participants worked together to refine the framework that supports a whole-of-government strategy for sustainable migration data systems in Kazakhstan. This collaborative approach is intended to strengthen interdepartmental coordination and improve data accuracy, accessibility, and application across policy-making bodies. 

The workshop reinforced Kazakhstan’s commitment to advancing migration management through comprehensive data systems, aligning with global standards to more effectively address migration trends. The outcomes of the workshop will foster the progress of Kazakhstan's migration policies, promoting a more efficient, data-driven approach to migration management that supports both national security and economic growth. 

The workshop is being held under the “Regional Evidence for Migration Analysis and Policy” project funded by European Union.  

For media inquiries please contact:  Tel.:+77172696553, Tel.:+77272582643, IOM office in Astana, Almaty, Kazakhstan.