Press Release: Presentation of the IOM Publication

“Mapping on Irregular Migration in Central Asia” 2014

ASTANA, 27 January 2015. In Astana, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Coordination Office for Central Asia, presented the publication “Mapping on Irregular Migration in Central Asia”. The event was supported by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The report “Mapping on Irregular Migration in Central Asia” is a regional analysis on irregular migration flows, with a focus in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and provides recommendations on regional cooperation in addressing the issue of  irregular migration. It also identifies country-specific issues and discusses the measures, taken so far, as well as highlights policy directions for the future, referring to international experience. This report is the fruit of a collaborative effort of Government officials, international and national experts and IOM offices from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

The project is funded by the IOM Development Fund (formerly the 1035 Facility), a unique global resource for eligible IOM Member States, which provides them with essential seed funding for innovative initiatives, as well as empowers Member States to develop migration management capacities.

Speakers of the panel were: Mr. Akmadi Serbasov, Chairman of the Committee on Labour, Social Protection and Migration in the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development; Mr. Askar Aldungarov, Deputy Head of the External Migration Unit in the Migration Police Department; Mr. Dejan Keserovic, Coordinator for Central Asia, Chief of IOM Missions in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan; Mrs. Tajma Kurt, Chief of Mission, IOM Tajikistan; Mrs. Tatiana Hadjiemmanuel, Deputy Coordinator for Central Asia; Mrs. Bermet Moldobaeva, National Officer, IOM Kyrgyzstan; and Mr. Piotr Kazmierkiewicz, International Expert. Representatives from the Government of Kazakhstan, International Organizations, Embassies, NGOs and the Private Sector attended the event.

The event was introduced by Mr. Dejan Keserovic, who thanked all participants for their presence to the event. Mr. Dejan Keserovic mentioned that the “Mapping on Irregular Migration in Central Asia” is a unique publication that offers the possibility for policy makers to better understand the current migration landscape in Central Asia and identify areas of improvement in order to convert irregular migration into regular as a means to link  migration with  development of the countries.

Mrs. Tajma Kurt, Chief of IOM Mission in Tajikistan, mentioned that addressing irregular migration will not only benefit individuals at risk, but also communities on a larger scale.

Mr. Akmadi Sarbasov, Chair of the Committee on Labour, Social Protection and Migration in the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development, and Mr. Askar Aldungarov, Deputy Head of the External Migration Unit in the Migration Police Department thanked IOM for developing this report while mentioning that the Government of Kazakhstan and the IOM Coordination office in Central Asia have had a long and fruitful copperation in different areas of migration.

Mrs. Tatiana Hadjiemmanuel, Deputy Coordinator for Central Asia and Project Manager, provided an overview and aims of the report accentuanting the importance of regional cooperation in addressing the issue of irregular migration and protection of migrants’ human rights. She also acknowledged the contributions and involvement of Government stakeholders from the three countries, the professional work from the national and international experts and the support from the IOM missions.  

Mr. Piotr Kazmierkiewicz, International Expert and Lead Author of the report “Mapping on Irregular Migration in Central Asia” presented the report focusing on the purpose and scope of the mapping; the methodology of the research; factors influencing migration flows; the  findings on regular and irregular migration trends; and conclusions and recommendations in addressing irregular migration in Central Asia to be considered by Central Asian Governments. During the presentation, Mr. Piotr Kazmierkiewicz explained that the report is a tool for identifying gaps within the migration governance in Central Asia as well as an inventory of the current available data. During the conclusions and recommendations it was emphasized that by making irregular migration regular, Central Asian Governments will benefit in terms of economic development.

Before closure of the event, the panel addressed participants’ questions.