IOM Deputy Director General Calls on Bangladesh Home Minister

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Deputy Director General Ugochi Daniels paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at the United Nations House in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Tuesday evening.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the longstanding partnership between the Ministry of Home Affairs and IOM and exchanged views on expanding cooperation in key areas, including migration governance, prevention of human trafficking, migrant protection and border management.

The Home Minister highlighted the government's initiatives to combat human trafficking, strengthen migration governance, safeguard the rights of migrants and enhance border security.

"Bangladesh is firmly committed to ensuring safe, orderly and dignified migration," Salahuddin Ahmed said. "For the past two decades, IOM has remained one of the Ministry of Home Affairs' most trusted development partners. We are confident that this longstanding cooperation will continue to grow stronger in the years ahead."

Daniels commended the enduring partnership between IOM and the Government of Bangladesh and reaffirmed the organization's commitment to supporting Bangladesh in promoting safe migration. She also underscored the importance of integrated information management and intelligence-sharing in preventing human trafficking.

Describing human trafficking as one of the gravest forms of transnational crime, the Home Minister said many people become victims due to deception, misinformation and lack of awareness. He said the government is implementing integrated border management to curb trafficking and other cross-border crimes while strengthening national security.

Responding to the Minister's query on identifying trafficking syndicates, Daniels said, "We can certainly support efforts to identify trafficking networks. Together with Interpol, IOM maintains data on human trafficking trends, which we regularly share with relevant authorities."

Daniels is visiting Bangladesh on a five-day official tour from August 1 to 5, 2026.

The meeting was also attended by the newly appointed IOM Head of Mission in Bangladesh, Dr. Laura Tomm-Bonde, and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and IOM.