East and South East Asia
 Migration Issues The search for better economic opportunities within and outside the region continues to be the primary reason for migratory movements in this region. The potential emergence of a more integrated, interdependent regional market among certain countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is helping to drive the momentum towards the establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015. Throughout the East and South-East Asia region, governments have been working to better regulate the movement of professionals and migrant workers, while also ensuring better protection of low-skilled labourers. Cognizant of the growing cross-border, intraregional and interregional mobility, governments and key actors alike are acknowledging the need to enhance migration management and increase bi-lateral and multilateral dialogue and cooperation. Irregular migration and human trafficking remain region-wide challenges with the most common forms being trafficking for sexual exploitation, irregular labour migration movements and false marriages. Migration-related public health challenges continue to be a concern for governments particularly with (re)emerging infectious diseases, such as the rapid spread of Influenza A (H1N1), TB, HIV and malaria. Natural disasters and clashes in certain areas also pose ongoing threats to populations in the region and have resulted in the displacement of a huge number of people, leaving many in a highly vulnerable situation. Governments are increasingly supportive of disaster risk-reduction and disaster management initiatives throughout the region. IOM's strategy continues to focus on enhancing cooperation among relevant stakeholders across the region and strengthening partnerships between governments, regional entities, the UN and civil society towards comprehensive and effective management of migration issues. Towards the same end, IOM continues to provide strong technical, operational, and institutional support to relevant key actors in the region. IOM continues to work in adherence to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, other UN agencies and regional bodies, to ensure that the principles of relevant international agreements and fora relating to migration are observed. IOM also remains committed to the objectives set in the Bangkok Declaration on Irregular and Undocumented Migration, the Regional Ministerial Conference on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime (the Bali Process), the Ministerial Consultations on Overseas Employment and Contractual Labour for Countries of Origin in Asia (Colombo Process), and the Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative against Trafficking. |
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