UNB, Dhaka :
The government of Bangladesh and International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Migration Agency, have recently signed an agreement to further strengthen and develop cooperation between Bangladesh and IOM.
With the signing of the agreement, Bangladesh becomes the first member state of IOM under the United Nations (UN) system to sign a full-fledged cooperation agreement granting IOM Privileges and Immunities similar to those granted to UN
specialized agencies (UN Convention of 1947).
The agreement will further strengthen IOM’s presence and programmes in Bangladesh covering, inter alia, capacity building, advisory services and technical cooperation on migration issues, migration and health, international migration law, migration and environment, migration information, counter-trafficking, migration of nationals and aliens, assistance to internally and externally displaced persons and other persons in need, return of qualified human resources and other assisted return activities, officials said.
The cooperation agreement was signed in the city by foreign secretary M Shahidul Haque and Chief of Staff from the Office of the Director General of IOM Ovais Sarmad on July 28, said IOM Dhaka office on Tuesday.
The cooperation agreement between Bangladesh and IOM recognizes that the purpose and functions of IOM and its activities warrant the granting by Bangladesh to IOM of the same privileges and immunities as those that the specialized agencies of the UN are entitled to in accordance with the provisions of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies.
“This is a step forward in strengthening IOM in its role within the UN system and in eventually assisting migrants,” Haque said signing the agreement.
Addressing the dignitaries at the event, Samrad said, “IOM is grateful to the Government of Bangladesh for this important decision. We hope this conclusion and cooperation agreement will encourage other IOM member states to also do the same”.
The government of Bangladesh and International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Migration Agency, have recently signed an agreement to further strengthen and develop cooperation between Bangladesh and IOM.
With the signing of the agreement, Bangladesh becomes the first member state of IOM under the United Nations (UN) system to sign a full-fledged cooperation agreement granting IOM Privileges and Immunities similar to those granted to UN
specialized agencies (UN Convention of 1947).
The agreement will further strengthen IOM’s presence and programmes in Bangladesh covering, inter alia, capacity building, advisory services and technical cooperation on migration issues, migration and health, international migration law, migration and environment, migration information, counter-trafficking, migration of nationals and aliens, assistance to internally and externally displaced persons and other persons in need, return of qualified human resources and other assisted return activities, officials said.
The cooperation agreement was signed in the city by foreign secretary M Shahidul Haque and Chief of Staff from the Office of the Director General of IOM Ovais Sarmad on July 28, said IOM Dhaka office on Tuesday.
The cooperation agreement between Bangladesh and IOM recognizes that the purpose and functions of IOM and its activities warrant the granting by Bangladesh to IOM of the same privileges and immunities as those that the specialized agencies of the UN are entitled to in accordance with the provisions of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies.
“This is a step forward in strengthening IOM in its role within the UN system and in eventually assisting migrants,” Haque said signing the agreement.
Addressing the dignitaries at the event, Samrad said, “IOM is grateful to the Government of Bangladesh for this important decision. We hope this conclusion and cooperation agreement will encourage other IOM member states to also do the same”.
