As part of its ongoing commitment to regional and inter-regional institutional capacity development, the Regional Support Office of the Bali Process (RSO) participated in the Budapest Process Thematic Working Group Meeting on Return and Reintegration.

Co-chaired by the Governments of Türkiye and Bangladesh, the Working Group brought together more than 70 delegates and migration experts from 28 countries and five international organisations. The meeting focused on strengthening sustainable reintegration efforts for returning migrants in the Silk Routes region, and builds on commitments made during the 7th Budapest Process Ministerial Conference in November 2024 and the subsequent Ministerial Declaration.

The event featured several in-depth thematic panels, highlighting country-led reintegration efforts in Iraq and Pakistan, and spotlighting civil society’s critical role across the region. The Nordic Support on Return and Reintegration in Iraq (NORAQ initiative) demonstrated how coordinated support from Nordic countries is helping to bolster national reintegration capacities and referral systems. Pakistan shared promising developments in their evolving reintegration frameworks, emphasising the importance of aligning national policy reforms with international development support. 

Civil society organisations including BRAC, Women Empowerment Literacy and Development Organization (WELDO), European Technology and Training Centre (ETTC), and the Rwanga Foundation shared valuable experiences in profiling returnees, reaching affected communities, and ensuring reintegration is inclusive, sustainable, and locally anchored.

“Sustainable returns and reintegration are not only about bringing people home—they are about restoring dignity, rebuilding lives, and reinforcing the social fabric of communities,” said Evan Jones, RSO Programme Coordinator. “It is only through shared responsibility and coordinated action that we can make reintegration work in the long term.”

The RSO plays an active role in supporting Bali Process Members to enhance returns and reintegration practices in the Asia-Pacific through research, training, and partnerships with both Bali Process Member States and international stakeholders. Ongoing work includes facilitating capacity building for front-line officers and promoting regional cooperation through multi-stakeholder initiatives.  

The RSO works closely to support the objectives and Forward Work Plan of the Bali Process Technical Experts Group on Returns and Reintegration (TEG-RR). The TEG-RR is an essential platform for supporting practical cooperation on return and reintegration in the Asia Pacific region, and as part of its new 5 year Forward Work Plan, will be developing a Returns and Reintegration Register to assist Members in identifying commonalities, best practices and shared challenges.   

“Our platforms are naturally complementary,” Evan Jones added. “The Bali Process and the Budapest Process share a common vision of collaborative migration management, with several Member States a part of both processes. By linking technical expertise and policy development, we can deliver better outcomes for migrants, governments, and communities alike.” 

Both initiatives provide space for Member States to share operational experiences, identify common challenges, and promote good practices. The RSO’s engagement in the Budapest Process discussions reflects the value of cross-regional linkages and highlights how insights from the TEG-RR and RSO can inform and strengthen broader international efforts to ensure safe, dignified, and sustainable returns in an increasingly interconnected migration landscape.