Past Events 2026

The Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) successfully organized a dissemination workshop titled “Adaptation Challenges of Climate-Migrants in Bangladesh and Locally-led Solutions” on 28 April 2026 at the CIRDAP International Conference Centre, Dhaka.

Mr. Zahir Uddin Swapan, MP, Honourable Minister of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, graced the event as the Chief Guest. Mr. Md. Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, MP, Honourable State Minister of the Ministry of Planning, and Ms. Lisa-Tanita Greminger, Regional Advisor for Migration and Protection at the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, attended the workshop as Guests of Honour. Dr. A K Enamul Haque, Director General of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) also attended the workshop at the Special Guest. The event brought together representatives from various ministries and government departments, along with national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs and INGOs), development partners, researchers, and members of civil society.

Dr. Tasneem Siddiqui presented the key finding of the research on the adaptation challenges of climate-induced migrants in the urban locations. The study shows that migrants earn more money in cities than in rural areas, and their income is more regular. It also finds that many more women are working in cities—more than three times compared to before. Dr. Siddiqui said that migration is not only happening in Dhaka and that policymakers need to take timely and proper action. She explained that many people move to Dhaka because industries in Khulna and other areas have closed. She also said that if industries are set up in districts and divisions, and regional growth centres are developed, people can earn money and live in their own areas instead of moving to Dhaka.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Mr. Zahir Uddin Swapon, MP emphasized that climate-induced migration should be recognized as a major public policy issue rather than merely a humanitarian crisis. Speaking at an RMMRU workshop at CIRDAP, he highlighted the need to integrate migration into development planning and noted that both environmental and political factors are driving migration. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing public challenges and stressed collective action to tackle climate change. The minister also urged stronger collaboration between the government, researchers, and civil society to reduce the suffering of migrants.

State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki said that it is the government’s duty to protect the rights and dignity of its citizens. He also thanked RMMRU for its work in supporting displaced people.

Dr. A K Enamul Haque, Director General of the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), said that many people are moving to cities because farmers do not want their children to continue farming.

The Successful Intervention Pathways for Migration as Adaptation (SUCCESS) Project organized its first Systematic Participatory Foresight Workshop in Chattogram on 31 March 2026.

The workshop brought together approximately 25 participants, including representatives from Chattogram City Corporation, Chittagong Development Authority (CDA), University of Chittagong, Premier University, Department of Women Affairs, District Social Services Office, District Relief and Rehabilitation Office, Probashi Kallyan Bank, Chattogram Women Technical Training Centre, Caritas, YPSA, Coast Foundation, volunteers, journalists, and migrants residing in Chattogram.

The workshop provided a structured platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue on the current drivers and dynamics of migration, the roles of key actors and stakeholders, and the future risks and emerging trends shaping mobility in Chattogram. Through evidence-informed discussions and participatory foresight tools, including system mapping, the identification of drivers of change, and the prioritization of key uncertainties, participants developed a shared and locally grounded understanding of migration as an adaptation pathway.

The event generated actionable insights into the current migration context in Chattogram City and helped identify priorities for stakeholder coordination and policy engagement on migration and adaptation.

The Successful Intervention Pathways for Migration as Adaptation (SUCCESS) Project convened its second Participatory Foresight Workshop in Banshkhali Sadar Upazila, Chattogram, on 30 March 2026.

The workshop brought together approximately 20 participants, including representatives from the Upazila Administration, Upazila Fisheries Office, Upazila Youth Development Office, Upazila Rural Development Office, Upazila Women Affairs Office, Khankhanabad Union Parishad, civil society organizations (CSOs), NGOs, teachers, youth leaders, volunteers, and community members with lived migration experience, including seasonal and return migrants.

The workshop provided a structured multi-stakeholder platform for examining future risks, emerging trends, and plausible scenarios likely to influence migration decisions and local adaptation pathways in Khankhanabad Union under Banshkhali Upazila. Through the use of participatory foresight tools and evidence-informed discussions, participants reflected on the implications of climate-related mobility, local vulnerabilities, and potential opportunities for adaptive planning. The process enabled diverse stakeholders to jointly explore how future uncertainties may shape migration as an adaptation strategy and to identify locally relevant response options.

The workshop generated important insights to inform future planning and programming on migration and adaptation at the local level. Its outcomes will support the SUCCESS Project’s ongoing efforts to promote forward-looking and inclusive approaches to migration as adaptation. These outcomes will also help inform the third workshop, which may be held in Banshkhali.

Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) organised a press conference at the National Press Club, Dhaka, to launch its annual research report titled “The Patterns and Trends of Labour Migration from Bangladesh in 2025: Achievements and Challenges”. The report presents a comprehensive analysis of Bangladesh’s international labour migration scenario in 2025. It highlighting key trends, major developments, roles of service providing institutions, legal and policy changes, migrant protection in the light of international law, and a set of policy recommendations. The event was graced by renowned photographer and writer Dr. Shahidul Alam as the chief guest. The keynote presentation of the report was delivered by Dr. Tasneem Siddiqui, Acting Executive Director of RMMRU. The event was attended by 97 journalists and received significant media coverage from 32 newspapers and 13 television channels.

In his speech, Dr. Shahidul Alam emphasised that migrants should not be viewed merely as numbers but as human beings. He noted that although the government earns significant revenue from migrants, there are still inadequate initiatives to make their lives easier, which contradicts the vision of a discrimination-free society. He also criticised the continued reliance on postal ballots for migrant voting, stating that it is not compatible with the realities of the digital era.

Presenting the key findings, Dr. Tasneem Siddiqui stated that compared to 2024, overseas labour migration from Bangladesh increased by around 12 percent in 2025. A total of 62,317 women workers migrated abroad in 2025, representing about 5.5 percent of total migrants. However, compared to 2022, women’s migration declined. In terms of destinations, nearly 90 percent of Bangladeshi migrants went to only five countries, with 67 percent (754,369 persons) migrating to Saudi Arabia alone. Remittance inflow showed a significant improvement in 2025, reaching USD 32.82 billion.

The report also highlighted that for the first time in 2025, initiatives were taken to enable Bangladeshi migrants to vote from abroad. By 31 December 2025, a total of 1,118,344 migrants had registered for postal voting. However, the allocation for the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment was reduced to BDT 855 crore from BDT 1,140 crore in the previous fiscal year. Despite the White Paper on the Economy recommending an increase of budget allocation for the migration sector from 0.08 percent to 1 percent.

The event was also attended by Marina Sultana, Programme Director, RMMRU; Rabeya Nasrin, Project Manager; Parvez Alam, Senior IT and Communication Officer; Mahmudul Hasan, Legal Officer; and Dr. Mohammad Rashed Alam, Faculty Member, University of Dhaka.