Migration governance now integral to national security: Defence adviser
Prime Minister's Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam on Thursday said migration governance is no longer solely an economic or labour market issue but has become an integral component of national security amid evolving global and geopolitical realities.
Delivering a keynote speech titled "Migration Governance as a National Security Instrument in Bangladesh" at the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) in Mirpur Cantonment, he said effective migration management is directly linked to a country's internal stability, border security, humanitarian protection and overall national security.
"The concept of security has expanded beyond protecting territorial integrity and geographical borders," he said.
"Ensuring safe mobility of people, legal employment opportunities, orderly cross-border movement, and protecting the rights and dignity of Bangladeshi nationals abroad are now important dimensions of national security."
The defence adviser warned that failure to ensure safe, orderly and well-managed migration could create multidimensional challenges for internal stability, border management and regional security.
Highlighting the economic importance of overseas employment, he said remittances continue to play a vital role in Bangladesh's economy.
He stressed the need to develop a skilled workforce, expand opportunities for safe and regular migration, and ensure migrant workers receive adequate training, knowledge and protection before leaving the country.
Shamsul also underscored the importance of strengthening coordination among relevant institutions to combat irregular migration, human trafficking, fraud and transnational criminal networks.
He described Bangladeshi expatriates as key contributors to both the national economy and the country's global image.
"Their rights, security and dignity must be safeguarded, while crisis-response mechanisms for Bangladeshi citizens abroad should be further strengthened," he said.
Calling for a comprehensive migration policy, the defence adviser advocated a humane and security-oriented framework that integrates the economic, humanitarian, social and security dimensions of migration.
He also emphasised the need for policy-based research, reliable databases, skilled human resources and stronger institutional coordination to ensure effective migration governance.
The keynote speech was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session in which BUP students asked about migration policy, human trafficking, migrant protection, border management, regional geopolitics and national security. Shamsul responded to the queries and shared his views on the growing strategic importance of migration governance.
Earlier, BUP Vice-Chancellor Major General Md Mahbub-ul Alam welcomed the defence adviser on his arrival at the university. Senior military and civil officials, deans, faculty members, researchers and students attended the programme.