The International Organization for Migration (IOM) today launched the World Migration Report 2024, which reveals significant shifts in global migration patterns, including a record number of displaced people and a major increase in international remittances.

IOM Director General Amy Pope formally released the report in Bangladesh, which stands at the forefront of migration challenges, including emigration, immigration and displacement.

“The World Migration Report 2024 helps demystify the complexity of human mobility through evidence-based data and analysis,” IOM Director General Amy Pope said at the launch. “In a world grappling with uncertainty, understanding migration dynamics is essential for informed decision-making and effective policy responses, and the World Migration Report advances this understanding by shedding light on longstanding trends and emerging challenges.”

The report highlights that international migration remains a driver of human development and economic growth, highlighted by a more than 650 per cent increase in international remittances from 2000 to 2022, rising from USD 128 billion to USD 831 billion. The growth continued despite predictions from many analysts that remittances would decrease substantially because of COVID-19.

Of that 831 billion in remittances, 647 billion were sent by migrants to low– and middle-income countries. These remittances can constitute a significant portion of those countries’ GDPs, and globally, these remittances now surpass foreign direct investment in those countries.

Highlighting key findings, the report reveals that while international migration continues to drive human development, challenges persist. With an estimated 281 million international migrants worldwide, the number of displaced individuals due to conflict, violence, disaster, and other reasons has surged to the highest levels in modern-day records, reaching 117 million, underscoring the urgency of addressing displacement crises.

Migration, an intrinsic part of human history, is often overshadowed by sensationalized narratives. However, the reality is far more nuanced than what captures headlines. Most migration is regular, safe, and regionally focused, directly linked to opportunities and livelihoods. Yet, misinformation and politicization have clouded public discourse, necessitating a clear and accurate portrayal of migration dynamics.

By choosing Dhaka as the report’s launch site, IOM not only highlights the country’s efforts in supporting vulnerable migrants and fostering pathways for regular migration but also recognizes Bangladesh’s important role in shaping global migration discourse and policy.

As a Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration Champion country, Bangladesh has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing migration issues and implementing policies that safeguard migrants’ rights. This proactive engagement aligns with IOM’s strategic objectives, making Bangladesh an ideal location to launch the 2024 World Migration Report.

IOM’s World Migration Report, with its innovative digital tools and comprehensive analysis, aims to help dispel myths, provide critical insights, and inspire meaningful action in addressing the challenges and opportunities of human mobility.

“We hope the report inspires collaborative efforts to harness the potential of migration as a driver for human development and global prosperity,” DG Pope said.

“As one of the GCM champion countries, Bangladesh will not only continue to act upon the pledges it has made for its domestic context but would also take up emerging issues and challenges pertaining to migration and development for informed deliberations at the international level,” said Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Honourable Foreign Minister, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

#TurksandCaicos, May 11, 2024 – Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam chaired the 11th meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday April 10, 2024 at the Office of the Premier on the island of Providenicales.

All members were present with the exception of the Honorable Ministers of Tourism and the Environment and the Ministry of Home Affairs that were away from the islands on official duties.

At this meeting Cabinet:
• Approved the Border Force Bill 2024 as a standalone bill creating the legal framework for the legal operation of the Border Force for advancement to the House of Assembly
• Approved the Customs (Amendment) Bill 2024 as a standalone bill creating a legal framework for the legal operation of the Border Force for advancement to the House of Assembly
• Approved the Crime Prevention Strategy Targeting At Risk Youth
• Granted approval to establish the Juvenile Prevention and Intervention Council (JPIC), who will subsequently work collectively to develop policy and procedures, crime prevention strategy and service legal agreements that will govern all services upon completion
• Granted approval to TBH Provo Ltd. (The Hotel Operating Co. Ltd./Beach House) to extend a Refurbishment Order previously granted to complete refurbishments previously agreed
• Noted an information paper on the TCI National ID Concept Core Model
• Approved the reappointment of Mr. Joseph Connolly as a Member of the National Insurance Board (employer representative) effective April 15, 2024 for a period of 3 years
• Approved the appointment of Mr. Jermaine Fulford as a Member of the National Insurance Board (insured person) for a period of 3 years effective April 15th, 2024
• Noted an information paper on the Statutory and Good Governance Pay and Grading Review as of April 9, 2024 which is scheduled to take place from April to July, 2024 and establishing the Governance Committee
• Accepted the resignation of Bishop Vernal G. Clarke as a Member of the Health Regulation Board and agreed to rescind this appointment
• Approved the appointment of Bishop Andrew Stone as a Member of the Health Regulation Authority Board for a period of 3 years effective April 15, 2024
• Approved the appointment of the following individuals as Members of the Labour Tribunal for a period of 2 years effective April 1, 2024:
1. Mr. Edward Hall, Senior Member (representative of employees)
2. Mr. Samuel Williams, Senior Member (representative of employers)
3. Mr. Vernon Alco Williams, Senior Member (representative of employees)
4. Ms. Arnelle Taylor, Attorney (representative of employers)
5. Mr. Carlis Williams (representative of employees GDT)
6. Mrs. Kenya Forbes-Jagger (representative of employers)
7. Ms. Kerchelle Bain, Attorney (representative of employees)
8. Ms. Yolander Forbes (representative of employers)
9. Ms. Veronica Rigby (representative of employees) New appointment
10. Ms. Mary Cunningham (representative of employers) New appointment

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (May 11, 2024) – The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is mourning the passing of John Bell, its first executive director, and the guiding force of the association (formerly CHA) for close to three decades.

Under his dynamic and pioneering leadership, the association framed the key role of tourism in the economies of the Caribbean and elevated the organization from its status as a traditional trade association to being the premier tourism organization for the Caribbean’s private sector.

In addition to establishing a comprehensive footprint for the association and bringing together the hotel and tourism associations across the region, Bell is credited with driving membership of, and interest in, the work of CHTA.

He guided the creation of Caribbean Travel Marketplace, the region’s premier marketing and networking event, which brings together buyers and sellers of the region’s tourism products and services; the Taste of the Caribbean culinary event; the Leadership Conference for National Hotel and Tourism Association executives; the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference; the Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference (CHIC); Caribbean Gold Book; Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST), the region’s pioneering environmental organization; Caribbean Hotel Training Institute (CHTI); as well as what is now known as the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Education Foundation (CHTAEF). Bell’s vision and leadership were instrumental in developing these programs, each of which was a pioneering initiative at the time and helped to shape, strengthen and grow the industry and the association’s membership.

Most of these initiatives continue to benefit the industry today, serving as a lasting legacy to Bell’s work, according to CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig, who asserted that it was on the shoulders of giants like John Bell that the CHTA grew to be seen as a key player in the sustainable development of tourism in the region and around the world, as evidenced by his election as President of the International Hotel & Restaurant Association for 2003-2005.

Vanessa Ledesma, Acting CEO and Director General of CHTA, remembered Bell, who was honored with CHTA’s Icon of Hospitality Award in 2019 and the 2022 CHRIS Lifetime Achievement Award, as harboring a passion for the development of national hotel and tourism associations along with membership.

“During his tenure, visits to member destinations were key, and he made connections with members on the ground. He was a true association executive but foremost he was a leader who laid out the vision and path leading to the establishment of CHTA as the regional voice for the private sector,” said Ledesma, who described Bell as an effective leader and Caribbean ambassador.

Frank Comito, CHTA’s former CEO and Director General, pointed to Bell’s contribution to his own development, describing him as a visionary who made pioneering contributions in areas from sustainable tourism and marketing to education and training over the decades. “We have lost but we have gained,” said Comito, who noted that “if I can name the top five most influential people in tourism, public or private sector and its development in the Caribbean over the last 50 to 60 years, John Bell is in there unquestionably.”

The Trinidad-based Bell, prior to his leadership of CHTA, was President of the Trinidad and Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (1971-1974); General Manager of Bel Air Hotel in Trinidad (1967-1974); and Assistant Manager of Blue Lagoon Hotel, St. Vincent (1964-1967). He began his tenure at CHA in 1974 as the first executive director and chairman of the Small Hotels Advisory Council.