Kazakhstan, IOM discuss joint efforts in illegal migration prevention
Kazakhstan’s cooperation with the International Organization for Migration, including joint efforts to prevent illegal migration and combat human trafficking were discussed in Astana, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The issues were discussed at a meeting of the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Akan Rakhmetullin, with the Regional Director of IOM, Arthur Erken, according to the press service of the Kazakh MFA.
Akan Rakhmetullin expressed his appreciation for IOM’s support of the Almaty Process, which aims to address challenges associated with mixed migration flows in Central Asia.
The parties also exchanged views on preparations for the upcoming Ministerial Conference of the Almaty Process, which will take place in Baku on April 24, 2025. During this event, Kazakhstan will officially assume the chairmanship of the process.
The Kazakh diplomat emphasized that, as the chair of the Almaty Process, Kazakhstan intends to strengthen regional cooperation with IOM within the framework of the UN Regional Center for Sustainable Development, which is currently being established in Almaty.
The Almaty Process is a regional consultative platform on refugee protection and international migration covering Central Asia. It was established in 2013. The Secretariat is located in Almaty.