The Regional Support Office of the Bali Process (RSO), alongside other Bali Process Working Groups—including a wide range of member states of the Bali Process and organisations provided updates on achievements and ongoing efforts related to returns and reintegration, with a focus on upcoming activities.

In August 2024, the TEG-RR, under the guidance of the Philippines and Australia, who Co-chair the working group approved its Forward Work Plan which sets out commonly agreed priorities for Bali Process Members and Observers for the next five years.  

This follow up meeting provided an opportunity for Members to share insights into their national efforts supporting returns and reintegration programs, and for the TEG-RR to formalise a detailed action plan to support the implementation of agreed priorities.  

One by one, representatives outlined the key agencies involved in their respective nations’ returns processes, including those responsible for travel documentation and repatriation procedures.  

Delegates also discussed their nations’ top priorities while highlighting the challenges they face in implementing effective returns and reintegration programs. Reflecting these insights, the TEG-RR has committed to develop a Returns and Reintegration Register to assist Members in identifying commonalities, best practices and shared challenges.  

Throughout the two-day meeting participants engaged in group discussions covering key priorities and challenges in managing returns and reintegration processes across the region. Several areas were found to require attention, with economic reintegration of returnees emerging as a top concern.  

Discussion outcomes highlighted the need to address the underlying vulnerabilities that often lead returned migrants to attempt irregular migration repeatedly. Other priorities identified include the importance of evaluating existing protection policies and developing sustainable reintegration strategies.  

Importantly, information sharing between origin, transit, and destination countries was identified as crucial for effective returns management as well as the need to combat stigma faced by returnees, with calls for increased resources to support return logistics. The discussions emphasised the importance of comprehensive approaches that consider both the practical and social aspects of reintegration. 

The seventh annual meeting included participation from representatives of regional forums including the Budapest and Colombo Processes, Intergovernmental Consultations on Migration Asylum and Refugees (IGC) and the Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC)—who shared insights around their operational approaches, structures and projects, providing the opportunity for TEG-RR Members to identify successful reintegration models that may inform and support efforts.  

Pakistan showcased its Re-admission Case Management System, demonstrating how technology can be harnessed to streamline the identification and return of nationals. The Colombo Process presented its successful reintegration model, sharing best practices with participants. Representatives from major destination countries including Australia, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates discussed their removal policies and practices, and safety protocols in place to facilitate returns. 

Whilst in Phnom Penh, delegates had the opportunity to learn about the operations of Hagar, a local non-governmental organisation which provides trauma-informed support and services to persons who have experienced being trafficked. A field visit allowed delegates to observe first-hand the efforts made by the Cambodian government in skills recognition and reintegration support and upskilling and re-skilling opportunities at two vocational institutions in Phnom Penh.  

At the meeting, Her Excellency Ran Sereyleakhena, representing the National Committee on Counter Trafficking (NCCT) in Cambodia provided opening remarks, noting that victim identification guidelines of Cambodia will provide an improved policy framework to facilitate the return process of victims of trafficking.  

She also highlighted the importance of bilateral and multilateral agreements and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) between origin, transit, and destination countries, particularly Cambodia’s current and proposed SOPs with Thailand and Viet Nam, to support returns and reintegration of victims of trafficking.  

The RSO looks forward to the next few months to support TEG-RR members in taking forward some of the priorities related to strengthening returns and reintegration practices as identified in the Workplan in 2025 and 2026.  

“The Seventh TEG-RR Meeting was a really successful and exciting meeting, not only in terms of a significant increase to the participant numbers compared to the last Meeting, but also in terms of the fora’s achievements; progression of the TEG-RR’s Forward Work Plan (FWP) and endorsement of its activities throughout 2025, acknowledgement of the role of effective cooperation to address increasingly complex returns and reintegration challenges and commitment to exploration whole-of-society approaches to support the long-term and sustainable reintegration of victims of trafficking.

Both the Philippines and Australia look forward to continuing to deliver and progress FWP Activities, achieving practical action to improve returns and reintegration and practical outcomes, whilst working towards hosting the Eighth TEG-RR Meeting in the second half of 2025.” – TEG-RR Co-Chairs Attorney Francis De Guzman, Assistant Secretary, Philippines Department of Migrant Workers and Zoë Moses, Assistant Secretary Compliance and Community Protection Policy at the Department of Home Affairs, Australian Government