The event, held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), drew the participation of representatives from authorities of 12 localities in the Central Region and Central Highlands.

Addressing the meeting, head of MOFA Consular Department Vu Viet Anh said that Viet Nam actively participated in the negotiation process and approved the GCM, which demonstrates the country’s consistent policy of protecting the rights of migrants.

He emphasized that it is necessary for Viet Nam to continue strengthening the implementation of international commitments in the context that the number of Vietnamese people traveling abroad is rising.

At present, about 4.5 million Vietnamese people are living and working overseas while more than 100,000 people are sent to foreign countries annually to work under contracts, Anh said.

Meanwhile the number of foreigners learning and working in Viet Nam is also rising, having reached more 80,000, he added.

Illegal migration and human trafficking remain complicated, according to the diplomat.

Against the backdrop, the participants focused on learning about the contents of the GCM, discussing measures to combat human trafficking and information dissemination, and incorporating migration into realization of the UN sustainable development goals.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had held a similar meeting in Ha Noi last month to provide relevant authorities, localities and organizations in Viet Nam with a deeper understanding of international migration issues, the content of the GCM, and the relationship between migration and the UN sustainable development goals through 2030.

Formally endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly on December 19 last year, Viet Nam adopted the GCM in the same month and is currently actively developing a plan to implement the GCM in accordance with Viet Nam’s laws and conditions./.