On 10 December, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Belarus organized a dynamic workshop on migration data management, bringing together national partners, experts, and practitioners to strengthen the country’s capacity for collecting, sharing, and utilizing migration-related data.

The introductory training on migration data provided participants with essential tools and knowledge to address the growing need for accurate and standardized migration data.  Participants explored the global frameworks and processes governing migration data, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). 

IOM’s expert from the Global Migration Data Analysis Centre Olivia Aitken delivered engaging presentations on key concepts and definitions in migration data, global frameworks that surround data collection, sources of migration data, and introduction on how it can be compiled, integrated, shared and disaggregated.

Highlighting the significance of migration data, Ms. Aitken emphasized that it enables governments to address labor market needs where migration could provide valuable support, and leverage data on diaspora skills to inform policies that foster development.

National partners, including the National Statistical Committee of Belarus presented national migration data management procedures and shared best practices.

Interactive group exercises allowed participants to apply these insights to Belarus-specific contexts, focusing on data collection, quality, and management.

The workshop was conducted within the international technical assistance project “Strengthening the Implementation, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting of Migration-Related SDGs in Belarus” implemented by IOM in coordination with the Ministry of Interior of Belarus and with financial support of IOM Development Fund.