Kathmandu – The Ministry of Labour Employment and Social Security (MoLESS) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) jointly organized the second Nepal Forum on Migration and Development (NFMD), this time focusing on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). Among 60 participants were key representatives from the Nepali Government, UN agencies, international organizations, civil society, academia and development partners. The event reflected on Nepal’s progress as a GCM Champion Country, discussed strategies to enhance migration governance, and gathered participants' input ahead of the upcoming GCM sub-regional and regional reviews in Colombo and Bangkok, respectively.

In her opening remarks, Helene Fors, Chief of Mission at IOM Nepal, underscored the importance of the newly adopted National Implementation Strategic Framework. “In August 2024, Nepal took a significant step forward by approving its National Implementation Strategic Framework for the GCM, developed through a comprehensive Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach,” Fors stated. As a GCM Champion Country, Nepal’s role in leading regional efforts and reinforcing migration management is vital for achieving long-term development goals. Mukunda Prasad Niraula, Secretary of MoLESS and Chair of the NFMD, reiterated Nepal’s commitment to protecting the rights of migrants and ensuring their reintegration into society, with a particular focus on gender and inclusion. “It is our collective responsibility to promote inclusive development and safeguard the human rights of all migrants,” Prasad said.

Phumza Manqindi, Senior Regional Policy and Liaison Officer at IOM’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, shared the inter-governmental sub-regional and regional GCM consultation plans. As migration intersects with various national plans, Manqindi echoed the necessity of a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach. The event also featured a detailed presentation by  Kabiraj Uprety, Under Secretary at MoLESS, and Prajwal Sharma, Head of Migration and Development at IOM Nepal on the National Implementation Strategic Framework.

A closing group discussion touched upon various relevant topics, such as the exploitation faced by women migrants, climate-induced migration, human trafficking, remittances, financial literacy and awareness on regular migration pathways. The discussion also tackled the importance of fair and ethical recruitment practices, ensuring a provision of minimum wages in accordance with the national laws in the Bilateral Labour Agreements (BLAs) during the negotiations with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and other emerging destinations.

Finally, the forum served as a crucial platform to gather valuable insights for the upcoming GCM sub-regional and regional reviews, set to take place in Colombo this November and in Bangkok in February 2025.

For more information, please contact:

Prajwal Sharma, Head of Migration and Development at IOM Nepal at psharma@iom.int