INDIA CHAIRS FIRST MEETING OF THE COLOMBO PROCESS

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: On 28 June 2024, India chaired its first meeting of the Colombo Process at the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

EXPLANATION:

• This marked a significant milestone as India took over the chairmanship of the Colombo Process, a regional consultative initiative focusing on the management of overseas employment and contractual labour for countries of origin in Asia.
• Secretary (CPV and OIA) of the Ministry of External Affairs, delivered a special address in his capacity as the Chair-in-Office.
• India’s dedication to enhancing collaboration among member states and advancing the objectives of the Colombo Process has been emphasized.
• India’s work plan for its two-year chairmanship has been outlined, highlighting key initiatives and priorities.
• It is aimed at improving the skills of the member states’ workforce to meet global labour market demands, fostering partnerships with destination countries, and enhancing regional cooperation.

India’s priorities for the Colombo Process

• Under India’s leadership, six main priorities have been set for the Colombo Process:
  • Reconfiguring Technical-Level Collaborations: Enhancing and reorganizing technical collaborations to better address current and emerging challenges in labour migration.
  • Broadening Membership: Including new member states and observers to expand the reach and influence of the Colombo Process.
  • Reviewing Financial Sustainability: Assessing and ensuring the financial sustainability of the Colombo Process to support its ongoing and future initiatives.
  • Structured Rotation for Chairmanship: Implementing a systematic rotation for the chairmanship to ensure balanced leadership and representation.
  • Engaging in Dialogues with the Abu Dhabi Dialogue (ADD) and Other Regional Processes: Strengthening ties and dialogues with the ADD and other regional migration processes to foster comprehensive collaboration.
  • Conducting a Regional Review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM): Reviewing regional adherence and implementation of the GCM to ensure safe, orderly, and regular migration.
• Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for Partnerships, Advocacy, and Communications, welcomed India to its new role as Chair of the Colombo Process.
• She praised the influential role of the Colombo Process in enhancing migration outcomes and reaffirmed the IOM’s commitment to protecting migrant workers’ rights and facilitating their regular, safe, and orderly migration.

Colombo Process

• It was established in 2003.
• The Colombo Process, formally known as the ‘Regional Consultative Process on the Management of Overseas Employment and Contractual Labour for Countries of Origin in Asia,’.
• It is a regional consultative forum comprising 12 Asian member states and aims to share best practices related to overseas employment for South and Southeast Asian countries that send migrant workers abroad.
• The member states include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• The forum, founded by 10 of these states, makes non-binding decisions by consensus.
• These countries serve as origins of migrant workers and drive this non-binding regional consultative process on migration.
• The Colombo Process facilitates cooperation and dialogue on labour migration mobility and governance and helps introduce best practices for managing overseas employment.

India’s Assumption of Chairmanship

• India assumed the chairmanship of the Colombo Process in May 2024, marking its first time in this leadership role since the establishment of the Process.
• This new leadership position underscores India’s commitment to regional cooperation on migration issues and the organized management of overseas employment.
• India’s leadership aims to rejuvenate engagement among member states and promote structured and effective migration policies.

International Organization for Migration (IOM):

• Established in 1951, IOM is part of the United Nations System and stands as the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration.
• With 175 member states, a further 8 states holding observer status and offices in 171 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all.
• It does so by providing support to migrants across the world, developing effective responses to the shifting dynamics of migration and providing advice on migration policy and practice.
• Its headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland.
• IOM’s work is focused on the following three objectives:
  • Saving lives and protecting people on the move: To fulfill this objective, IOM puts the safety, dignity and protection of people first in the most challenging crisis response contexts in the world.
  • Driving solutions to displacement: In response to this aim, IOM endeavors to reduce the risks and impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, conflict and instability for communities affected by or at risk of displacement.
  • Facilitating pathways for regular migration: To address this pursuit, IOM prioritizes whole-of-government, whole-of-society approaches to safely connect people, goods, services, knowledge and innovation.

SOURCE: https://diplomacybeyond.com/india-chairs-first-meeting-of-the-colombo-process/