
Asia Dialogue on Forced Migration
Established in August 2015, the Asia Dialogue on Forced Migration (ADFM) is a ‘second track’ process pursuing more effective, durable and dignified approaches to forced migration in the Asia-Pacific. It has fast become a leading expert group on issues of forced migration in the region, trusted by the Bali Process and ASEAN for independent and credible advice. The ADFM brings together government and non-government decision makers from nine affected countries and representatives from UNHCR and IOM, each of whom act in their personal capacities. It is led by a regional Secretariat, convened by CPD in partnership with policy institutes from Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. The ADFM provides an invaluable neutral place to discuss policy and operational options for States and others who are grappling with complex forced migration issues in the region. Through its independent discussions and policy development, and its work in conjunction with existing mechanisms for government-to-government cooperation on these issues, the ADFM hopes to help build a platform for greater regional cooperation to address the challenges of forced migration in the Asia-Pacific.
Latest Articles

Virtual Roundtable on Mainstreaming Child Protection in the Context of International Migration
communications - January 2021
In December 2020 the Secretariat of the Asia Dialogue on Forced Migration (ADFM) was pleased to co-convene a virtual regional roundtable with the International Detention Coalition (IDC), focused on mainstreaming...
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Caitlin McCaffrie: Andaman Sea Crisis: Is the region really better off in 2020?
communications - August 2020
Published as part of the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law’s Andaman Sea Crisis series on 6 August 2020 The Asia Pacific is experiencing another major test of regional cooperation,...
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Ninth meeting | ASIA DIALOGUE ON FORCED MIGRATION | February 2020
Caitlin McCaffrie - February 2020
Key documents for the ninth ADFM meeting: Full agenda and participant list Participant profiles Briefing papers Co-Conveners’ Statement The ninth meeting of the Asia Dialogue on Forced Migration (ADFM)...
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Regional Roundtable on Alternatives to Child Detention | 21-22 Nov 2019 | Bangkok
Caitlin McCaffrie - November 2019
The Secretariat of the Asia Dialogue on Forced Migration (ADFM) was pleased to co-convene a Regional Roundtable on Alternative Care Arrangements for Children in the Context of International Migration in...
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Workshop on Building Institutional Capacity for Regional Migration Governance | 13 September
Caitlin McCaffrie - October 2019
On 13 September, the Centre for Policy Development joined academics and experts from Southeast Asia and the United Kingdom for a workshop on Building institutional capacity for regional migration governance: Collective problems and...
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Eighth meeting | ASIA DIALOGUE ON FORCED MIGRATION | June 2019
Luisa Boll - July 2019
Key documents for the eighth ADFM meeting: Full agenda and participant list Participant profiles Briefing Papers Co-Convenors’ Statement The eighth meeting of the Asia Dialogue on Forced Migration (ADFM) was...
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Bangladesh and its Emerging Role in the Region | ROUNDTABLE | June 2019
Luisa Boll - June 2019
Yesterday, CPD co-hosted a special roundtable event with the Bangladesh High Commission on ‘Bangladesh and its Emerging Role in the Region: Bilateral Relations and Challenges for the Region from Forced...
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Avoiding a Crisis within a Crisis | ADFM Trafficking Risk Assessment | March 2019
Luisa Boll - March 2019
Addressing the risks of human trafficking, migrant smuggling and related exploitation arising from the Rohingya displacement in Cox’s Bazar. Between March and November 2018, the Secretariat of the Asia Dialogue...
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Seventh meeting | ASIA DIALOGUE ON FORCED MIGRATION | November 2018
communications - November 2018
Key documents for the seventh ADFM meeting: Full agenda and participant list Participant profiles Related media Co-Convenors’ Statement Papers Avoiding a Crisis Within a Crisis Report The seventh meeting of...
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Step up? We’ve stepped aside by failing to sign migration pact | Op-ed | November 2018
Travers McLeod - November 2018
Published in The Australian on 23 November 2018 “Step up or step aside.” This was former Indonesian foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda’s 2016 warning to Australia and Indonesia as co-chairs of the Bali Process...
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