Thursday, 25 June 2009
A OSCE-supported conference that started on 24 June in Astana aims to promote efficient migration policies in Kazakhstan and other countries in the region through dialogue and exchange of good practices.
The Conference, organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana in cooperation with the Kazakh Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and International Labour Organization (ILO), brought together some 100 parliamentarians, government officials, NGO representatives, international experts and international organization representatives from Central Asia and Russia.
"The Conference aims to develop practical recommendations for the effective management of migration processes and to increase co-operation between the countries in the region," said Ambassador Alexandre Keltchewsky, Head of the Centre in Astana. "The adoption of the new migration law in Kazakhstan soon could become a next step forward in promoting efficient migration policies in the region."
The first day of the conference focuses on the importance of building efficient and coherent migration policies to tackle the consequences of the world financial crisis and to promote development and security in the region. Labour and ethnic migration were a particular focus of the discussion.
Participants reviewed the current situation, and gaps and needs in the policies of the governments, as well as the role of international legal standards and how national legislations can be adjusted to these requirements.
"I hope that as a result of the Conference, we will develop a common approach forthe improvement of social and migration policies and for the strengthening of the inter-state partnership in social and labour spheres," said Gulshara Abdukalikova, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Kazakhstan.
On the agenda are discussions on the importance of building gender-sensitive migration policies, using the OSCE Guide on Gender-sensitive Labour Migration Policies as a basis.
