On 31 October 2017, the Co-Chairs of the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime hosted the Twelfth Meeting of the Ad Hoc Group Senior Officials (AHG SOM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
In attendance were representatives from Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United States and Vietnam as well as representatives from UNHCR, UNODC and the IOM. Canada and the Asia Dialogue on Forced Migration attended as observers. The RSO Co-Managers also participated in the meeting.
The purpose of the meeting was to review progress of the AHG activities and achievements since the Sixth Bali Process Ministerial Conference (BPMC) and the 11th AHG Senior Officials’ Meeting.
Outcomes:
- Members welcomed an updated Bali Process Strategy for Cooperation, incorporating developments since the Sixth Ministerial Conference.
- Members recalled that the first meeting of the Consultation Mechanism was convened on 13 October 2017, as arranged by Co-Chairs and participating members, in Jakartam Indonesia.
- Members welcomed the work of UNHCR and stakeholders in developing the Global Compact on Refugees. Members also adopted a Bali Process statement for the Asia-Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting on the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration held in Bangkok on 6-8 November 2017.
- Indonesia presented an overview of the launch of the inaugural Bali Process Government and Business Forum held between 24-25 August 2017 in Perth, Australia.
- Members endorsed the new ‘Following the Money’ Policy Guide and associated training module developed under the leadership of the Trafficking in Persons Working Group.
- Members commended the results achieved during the 3rd Joint Period of Action led by the Working Group on Disruption of People Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons Networks (co-chaired by Malaysia and New Zealand).
- The RSO was tasked to establish an Oversight Committee with a minimum of three members for the Regional Biometric Data Exchange Solution (RBDES) initiative.
- Australia’s will revitalise the AHG Workshop on Biometrics for Identity Integrity in Immigration.
- Australia and Bangladesh confirmed their ongoing partnership in implementing the Bali Process Pilot Joint Information Campaign to deter people smuggling and trafficking in persons, which aligns with National Plan of Action activities already underway.
- The Co-Chairs updated members on the establishment of the Task Force on Planning and Preparedness (TFPP) to support the Consultation Mechanism.
- Australia and the Philippines will co-chair a Technical Experts Group on Returns and Reintegration.
- The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) request for membership of the Bali Process will be submitted for approval at the next Bali Process SOM.
2017 Workshops
Bali Process Ad Hoc Group Regional Biometric Data Exchange Solution (RBDES) Workshop – First Ad Hoc Group RBDES Workshop – Bangkok, Thailand, 23-24 February 2017