Third Mekong Dialogue on Labor Mobility

On 29 May 2025, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (MOLSW) of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) hosted the Third Mekong Dialogue on Labor Mobility in Luang Prabang City, with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). His Excellency Phongsaysack Inthalath, Deputy Minister of MOLSW, Lao PDR, emphasized in his keynote address that putting a primer on migration initiatives leads to dignity and opportunity for all.

Organized under the GMS Program framework, the Dialogue focused on strengthening labor migration governance through accessible, efficient, and worker-centered regular pathways that respond to evolving labor market needs. These areas contribute to the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) objective 5 (Enhance availability and flexibility of pathways for regular migration) and objective 18 (Invest in skills development and facilitate mutual recognition of skills, qualifications and competencies). Panelists contributed valuable insights, including GMS government representatives who shared their experiences.

The two sessions held were on

• “Enhancing Regular Pathways for Labor Migration,” moderated by Ms. Geertrui Lanneau, Senior Regional Thematic Specialist on Labor Mobility and Social Inclusion, IOM Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Panelists included representatives from MOLSW-Lao PDR, the Ministry of Labor of Thailand, the International Labor Organization, and ADB.
• “Advancing Skills Mobility, Recognition, and Development,” moderated by Ms. Shareen Tuladhar, Chief of Mission, IOM Lao PDR, which included panelists from MOLSW-Lao PDR, the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training of Cambodia, IOM Thailand, and ADB.

The Dialogue brought together over 74 officials from key ministries of GMS countries and development partners, both online and in person.

The Mekong Dialogue serves as a critical platform for fostering regional cooperation, enabling governments, social partners, and development actors to exchange knowledge, enhance policy coherence, and explore collaborative solutions on labor mobility. By promoting rights-based, gender-responsive, and inclusive migration policies, the dialogue contributes to safe and regular migration, reinforcing the socio-economic resilience of the GMS. The first Mekong Dialogue on Labor Mobility, held on 30 May 2022 via video conference, was instrumental in providing a platform for migration experts and stakeholders in the GMS to engage in collective discussions and share knowledge regarding economic recovery and migration management. The second Mekong Dialogue, held on 26 April 2024 in Siem Reap, Cambodia, explored opportunities for action and partnership among Mekong countries by focusing on areas that contribute to the implementation of the GCM.