On 13th March, the Global Policy Network (GPN) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) held a meeting with representatives from various ministries of the Republic of Kazakhstan, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, alongside with IOM Kazakhstan and regional representatives of ministries. The primary aim of this meeting was to discuss the pivotal role of the GPN in facilitating open discussions regarding the rights of migrant workers and future cooperation.

The Global Policy and Strategy membership is free of charge and completely voluntary. It helps IOM Member States fulfill their obligations to ensure safe, orderly, and regular migration, as well as strengthen migration policy management. The network comprises five thematic working groups focusing on licensing and oversight of labour recruiters, inspections and enforcement, bilateral cooperation, temporary and seasonal schemes, and a proposed new group on skills development. Ms. Anastasia Braun, a consultant at the GPN secretariat in Geneva, noted that there are currently few representatives from Eastern Europe and Central Asia. However, the network continues to grow, and negotiations are now underway with representatives from Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. Additionally, Mr. Aituar Mamlin the Counsellor of the Department of Multilateral Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan highlighted that it would be a good opportunity for Kazakhstan to participate in this program and take further steps regarding migration programmes.

Key outcomes of the meeting included the confirmation of the interest in participating in the GPN, agreement to attend the upcoming in-person meeting in Geneva on 10-11 June 2024, and an invitation extended by IOM Kazakhstan to GPN representatives to partake in SDG Business Accelerator.