UN Resident Coordinator Representative to Laos, Mr Bakhodir Burkhanov (first right), Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dr Sthabandith Insisienmay (second right), and IOM Chief of Mission to Laos Ms Shareen Tuladhar attend the launch of the migration report in Vientiane last week.

Laos launches first migration profile report

The government and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) jointly launched the first Migration Profile in Vientiane on December 8.
The Migration Profile is a statistical report on the migration situation in Laos, compiling insights on migratory processes, trends and patterns against the background of existing regulatory systems, policy frameworks and international cooperation initiatives.
The report aims to facilitate evidence-based policymaking, policy commitments, and inter-agency cooperation, and promotes the mainstreaming of migration into broader policymaking processes.

Officials from the Lao government and international organisations gather in Vientiane last week for the launch of the country’s first migration report.

The launch was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dr Sthabandith Insisienmay, UN Resident Coordinator Representative to Laos, Mr Bakhodir Burkhanov, and IOM Chief of Mission to Laos, Ms Shareen Tuladhar.
Under the DRI’s leadership with technical support from the International Organisation for Migration, the development of the Migration Profile is the outcome of extensive consultation meetings and seminars engaging line ministries and stakeholders through the Inter-ministerial Technical Working Group.
IOM Chief of Mission to Laos, Ms Shareen Tuladhar, said “The Migration Profile supports evidence-based policymaking through the use of accurate and improved disaggregated data as well as strengthened government coordination mechanisms. The report will also serve as a reference and capacity building tool to better understand the migration trends and priorities for the country.”
“This first-ever Migration Profile will also serve as a valuable tool for policymakers, researchers and practitioners and will serve as a resource base for capturing the entire scope of migration trends in Laos. This initiative has also formed a foundational basis and a framework for Laos to develop such reports in the future,” she added.
UN Resident Coordinator Representative to Laos, Mr Bakhodir Burkhanov, said “As Laos takes on the Chair of Asean next year, the United Nations system hopes that this report can frame and deepen the discussion on this important topic, which was already put on the table during Indonesia’s chairmanship this year.”
The report is expected to contribute to fulfilling the government’s 9th five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2021-2025 with a particular focus on socio-economic growth, human capital, and people’s well-being.
Additionally, the study supports key strategic priorities of the government under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2022-2026.
Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dr Sthabandith Insisienmay said “Migration should be one of the government’s priorities in policymaking, as it contributes to socio-economic development and poverty reduction. Thus, evidence-based data on migration will be critical in formulating policies and actions to address emerging migration issues and challenges.”
The Migration Profile is a flagship report and a capacity building tool developed by IOM Member States to strengthen migration management capacity.
Laos joined the International Organisation for Migration as the 171st Member State in June 2018. As a relatively new member, the organisation assisted the Lao government in developing this national level document through the support of the IOM Development Fund.
The International Organisation for Migration will continue to support Laos in facilitating people’s orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update December 12, 2023)