DFA Hosts Madagascar Delegation in Labor Migration Exchange Mission
On behalf of Undersecretary Eduardo Jose A. de Vega, Assistant Secretary Robert O. Ferrer, Jr., Acting Head of the Office of the Undersecretary for Migration Affairs, welcomed the Malagasy delegation
(Photo credits: DFA-OPD Maria Vanessa Ubac)
MANILA 30 May 2025 — The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Office of the Undersecretary for Migration Affairs, hosted a delegation from Madagascar on 28 May 2025 at the DFA Double Dragon Tower in Pasay City. The visit of the Directorate of Development Partnerships and the Diaspora of Madagascar was part of the delegation’s Exchange Mission on Labor Migration in the Philippines to learn about the migration management model of the country and for mutual exchange of ideas. Also part of the delegation was a representative of TADY, a French-funded programme to support Madagascar’s diaspora policy.
DFA Assistant Secretary for Migration Affairs Robert O. Ferrer, Jr. successfully discussed the third pillar of Philippine foreign policy on protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of overseas Filipinos through Assistance-to-Nationals services. The discussion also highlighted the commitments to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), as well as the vital role of the Filipino diaspora in national development.
The Malagasy delegation, led by Ms. Lanto Rahajarizafy, Director General for Development Partnerships and the Diaspora of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shared their country’s efforts to recognize and leverage the contributions of their citizens abroad. These include establishing a dedicated government office to handle diaspora matters, promoting activities in the context of the GCM, and implementing programs to engage their diaspora for local development projects in Madagascar. It was noted that Madagascar came up with an overarching migration and diaspora policy as early as 2011.
The visit further underscored exchanges on the protection of migrant workers through bilateral labor agreements, negotiations with host countries, and improved mechanisms that ensure protection of migrant workers, particularly as both countries have large numbers of migrant workers abroad.
The Malagasy delegation was composed of senior officials and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Public Service. DFA-OUMA was likewise joined by the DFA Office of Middle East and African Affairs during the visit. END
DFA Assistant Secretary for Migration Affairs Robert O. Ferrer, Jr. (center) discussing the DFA’s services to overseas Filipinos (Photo credits: DFA-OPD Maria Vanessa Ubac)
Head of Malagasy delegation MFA Director General for Development Partnerships and the Diaspora Ms. Lanto Rahajarizafy (left photo), together with DFA Assistant Secretary Ferrer (right photo)
(Photo credits: DFA-OPD Maria Vanessa Ubac)
Malagasy delegation with officials and representatives from the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migration Affairs and DFA Office of Middle East and African Affairs
(Photo credits: DFA-OPD Maria Vanessa Ubac)