Malaysia’s no-show at a crucial migration conference

THE Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Escap), in collaboration with the Regional United Nations Network for Migration, hosted the Second Asia-Pacific Regional Review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) from Feb 4-6, 2025 at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.

Government representatives from 31 member states attended, including those from South and South-East Asia, Central Asia, East Asia, Europe, and the Pacific Islands. Yet, Malaysia, despite holding the Asean Chair, was conspicuously absent.