East Asia and the Pacific

Children affected by migration are exposed to a range of protection risks. Businesses may cause and contribute to these risks – both directly and indirectly – through their activities and relationships. Child labour and economic exploitation are often cited as the main child protection risks caused or contributed to by businesses in the ASEAN…

Until recently, children were invisible in migration literature. Migration was viewed as an adult experience, with child migrants typically being seen only as an extension of their parents. As a result, little is known about the unique realities of migration for children, or about the impact of migration policies on them. As such, the Situation…

Situation Analysis, Until recently, children were invisible in migration literature. Migration was viewed as an adult experience, with child migrants typically being seen only as an extension of their parents. As a result, little is known about the unique realities of migration for children, or about the impact of migration policies on them. As such, this Situation…, Legal Review, This annex to the Situation Analysis consists of a comparative review and analysis of bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) related to the protection of children affected by migration between two or more of the 10 ASEAN Member States. It also outlines a review of national laws related to the protection of children affected by…, Country Briefs, In this series of country briefs, the situation of children affected by migration in all ASEAN Member States besides Brunei Darussalam and Singapore is summarized through key findings from the Situation Analysis. Through these findings and data snapshots of migration trends in these states, we get a foundational understanding of the profile of…, Case Studies, These five case studies drill down into pressing issues pertinent to the situation of children affected by migration in five ASEAN Member States. Migration and family separation are explored in Cambodia, specifically the needs, challenges and access to services for children left behind in Battambang province. A deep-dive examination of child…, Business Policy Brief, It is well established that businesses have a corporate responsibility to respect children’s rights wherever they operate. This ‘responsibility to respect’, which is affirmed in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights 2011 (UNGPs) and elaborated by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child applies no less to the rights of children…

Until recently, children were invisible in migration literature. Migration was viewed as an adult experience, with child migrants typically being seen only as an extension of their parents. As a result, little is known about the unique realities of migration for children, or about the impact of migration policies on them. As such, this Situation…

Through these five case studies, more nuance is added to the complex regional picture of children affected by migration, looking, for example, at children left behind when one or more parents migrate to find work in Cambodia’s Battambang province. Parents migrating can lead to remittances to their families, which can ultimately improve their…

The situation of children affected by migration in ASEAN Member States is a complex one. A diverse group of states in itself, ASEAN is also host to a unique migration situation, one in which millions of children are affected. They may migrate alone, with their families or remain in their country of origin while one or both parents migrate in…

The conceptual framework and questions developed for this legal review resulted in findings, conclusions and recommendations that informed the wider Regional Situation Analysis on Children Affected by Migration in ASEAN Member States. By looking at whether laws require the best interests of the child to be a primary consideration in immigration…

Thailand - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Thailand and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Regional Office for East Asia and Pacific held a three-day Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Reintegration Services in Asia on 19, 20 and 21 July 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand. Around 35 government and non-government…

The rights of migrants across the Asia-Pacific region have seen considerable progress in the three years since the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) was adopted. However, much remains to be done, particularly ahead of the first international review in 2022 (International Migration Review Forum), to effectively face both…

Today, 18 December marks International Migrants Day. A day to recognize the contributions migrants make to communities throughout the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region and the challenges and difficulties they still face. This is a dynamic region where migration can offer opportunities and benefits to families and their children…

Bangkok – The first regional review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration in Asia and the Pacific concluded today with a call for greater collaboration among countries in the region to implement this global framework for action to reap the benefits of migration for all. The review, organized by the United Nations Economic…

The analyses in the report are based on the latest publicly available evidence on international migration in Asia and the Pacific, desk research by members of the Regional United Nations Network, and information provided by country offices of Network members. The good practices described here were collected from States, international organizations…