Irregular Maritime Migration in the Bay of Bengal Region: The Challenges of Protection, Management, and Cooperation

At this event in Bangkok, marking the launch of the 13th MPI-IOM Issue in Brief, discussants will cover the emerging trends in irregular maritime migration in the Bay of Bengal region and how countries can cooperate to enhance migration management and protection of these migrants.

As a vast region with myriad islands, peninsulas, and ancient sea routes, maritime migration is part of Asia’s tradition. But it has become increasingly complex as refugees and irregular migrants move around the region by sea, challenging governments in the Asia-Pacific region to control their borders, regulate immigration, and fulfill their obligations under international law. This Issue in Brief looks at the emerging trends in irregular migration in the Bay of Bengal region, and explores how countries can cooperate to enhance migration management and protection of these migrants.

Please join the International Organization for Migration and the Migration Policy Institute at a breakfast briefing to discuss these critical issues and launch the Issue in Brief, Irregular Maritime Migration in the Bay of Bengal Region: The Challenges of Protection, Management and Cooperation, the thirteenth in this joint-publication series offering succinct insights on migration issues affecting the Asia-Pacific region today.

The Rajanakarn Building is a short walk from the Chong Nongsi BTS station and is right beside the Ascott Sathorn building and Empire Tower. To RSVP please contact Sabira Coelho by email: [email protected] or by phone: (02) 343-9423.

A Message from Kathleen Newland:

Speakers:

Andrew Bruce, Regional Director, IOM Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

Alistair Boulton, Assistant Regional Representative for Protection, UNHCR

Penny Herasati, Minister/Counsellor, Embassy of Indonesia    

Sophie Nonnenmacher, Migration Policy Advisor, Regional Support Office for The Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons, and Related Transnational Crime

Jakrit Ruangkajorn, First Secretary, Chief of Migration Section, Social Division, Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand

Moderators:

Jeffrey Labovitz, Chief of Mission, IOM Thailand

Contact

Sabira Coelho

[email protected]

(02) 343-9423

Sponsors

About the Global Program

The Global Program bridges policy advice, research, and candid dialogue to design effective migration policies, drawing on global evidence and anticipating the forces reshaping how people move.