Home Minister meets new IOM Chief of Mission, discusses strengthening cooperation on human trafficking and border management

Held at the Secretariat's Home Ministry on Tuesday (July 28), the meeting emphasized further strengthening the long-standing partnership between Bangladesh and IOM. Discussions also included reinforcing national anti-human trafficking efforts, preventing cyber technology-based human trafficking, and integrated border management.

During the meeting, the IOM Chief of Mission informed that the organization's Deputy Director General (DDG), Ugochi Daniel, will visit Bangladesh from August 1 to 5. On this occasion, she invited the Home Minister to attend a reception event at the United Nations House on August 4.

The Home Minister welcomed the newly appointed Chief of Mission to Bangladesh and said that the Ministry of Home Affairs will provide all-out cooperation to IOM to prevent human trafficking, modernize border management, enhance technical capacity, and ensure safe migration.

The meeting expressed satisfaction that the national validation process of the 'Integrated Border Management' strategy, formulated jointly by the Ministry of Home Affairs and IOM, has reached its final stage. At the same time, IOM reiterated its commitment to continue providing technical assistance to enhance the capacity of Bangladesh Police and other law enforcement agencies.

Additionally, discussions were held on IOM's policy support, specialized training, research, institutional capacity development, and assistance in mobilizing international funds for the Home Ministry's anti-human trafficking activities.

It is noteworthy that this is the first formal bilateral meeting between the Ministry of Home Affairs and Dr. Laura Tom-Bond after she assumed the role of IOM Chief of Mission in Bangladesh.