IOM Ready to Enhance Cooperation with Vietnam
	IOM Appreciates Vietnam's Efforts in Implementing Migration Compact

We are witnessing an unprecedented era of human migration and its associated challenges. What is your assessment of this situation?

According to the latest IOM World Migration Report, there are 281 million international migrants worldwide, accounting for 3.6% of the global population. Asia has experienced a remarkable surge in international migration over the past two decades, with over 40% of the world's migrants originating from this region.

Mitsue Pembroke, acting chief of Mission of the IOM. Photo: Pham Ly

Between 2017 and 2023, labor migration has continued to be the primary form of migration in Vietnam, with nearly 860,000 workers employed overseas under contracts, primarily in Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.

The number of Vietnamese students studying abroad has also been growing rapidly, with an estimated 250,000 Vietnamese students currently studying overseas. We are also seeing more Vietnamese women migrating, and Vietnam is attracting a significant number of foreign workers, especially from 2017 to 2022, with over 475,000 foreign workers granted work permits.

Migration continues to be a critical issue for individuals, governments, and businesses alike, influencing policies across sectors such as trade, health, education, and more. While the benefits and demands of migration have become increasingly apparent, challenges, limitations, and risks persist in how individuals, communities, and nations perceive and respond to it.

What is your assessment of Vietnam's publication of the 2023 Migration Profile?

The publication of the 2023 Migration Profile is of significant importance, as this is the third migration profile we have collaborated on with the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The first migration profile was conducted in 2011, the second in 2016, and now seven years later, we have this latest one. The Migration Profile serves as a valuable handbook, providing us with a deeper understanding of migration trends and the challenges that persist.

In recent years, through the development of these migration profiles, we have seen the importance of using specific data and evidence to inform policymaking in Vietnam.

It is clear that the Vietnamese government has made significant strides in developing policies to support migrants.

Participants in the October 29 workshop launching the Vietnam Migration Profile 2023. Photo: VNA

As a partner of the Vietnamese government, IOM is confident in Vietnam's efforts. The compilation and publication of the migration profile will further assist Vietnam in implementing the United Nations Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, a compact in which Vietnam has been a proactive participant.

What projects has IOM implemented in Vietnam to support migrants?

Individuals migrate for various reasons, primarily to pursue better economic opportunities and educational prospects, or to escape challenges such as natural disasters, climate change, and conflict. However, migrants often face numerous challenges during their journey. For instance, in foreign countries, they may be exploited, have their documents confiscated, and lack the knowledge to address these issues.

Therefore, it's crucial to raise awareness among migrants about their rights and the resources available to them. Given that most migrants are young and heavily reliant on social media, we are actively using these platforms to disseminate information about safe migration through our community outreach project, "Think Before You Go." This project aims to equip migrants with the knowledge to identify risks along their migration journey while also understanding the benefits of migration and the essential information needed for a safe migration.

Additionally, IOM has been promoting inter-agency cooperation. Beyond the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are collaborating with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, as well as other ministries, agencies, and organizations in rescuing victims of human trafficking. For instance, we have successfully collaborated with various government agencies to rescue and reintegrate victims of human trafficking in Cambodia.

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