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IOM Hosts Regional Coordination Mechanism Meeting in Almaty under the Labour Migration Programme in Central Asia

Almaty, Kazakhstan – 19-20 November 2024, The International Organization for Migration (IOM) convened a two-day Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM) meeting in Almaty as part of its Labour Migration Programme in Central Asia, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

The meeting brought together migration experts, government representatives, and key stakeholders from the region to review the programme’s achievements and chart strategic directions for its next phase. Sessions on the first day addressed evidence-based migration governance, pre-departure orientation for migrants, bilateral labour migration agreements, and strategies for diversifying migration pathways in Central Asia.

During the second day, participants engaged in a mid-phase project review workshop, where interactive group discussions focused on analysing project impacts and planning future priorities. Parallel sessions provided an opportunity for donor review interviews and side meetings to align efforts on regional migration priorities.

Renate Bucher, Programme Manager for Migration & Forced Displacement at SDC, commended the programme’s progress and emphasized its importance in fostering safe and orderly migration across Central Asia.

By fostering collaboration and evidence-based policymaking, the meeting reaffirmed IOM's commitment to enhancing labour migration governance and empowering migrants across the region.

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