Carrying the theme “Accelerating Action Towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Safe Migration and Decent Work for Migrant Workers in ASEAN”, the 18th ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour (AFML) was convened on 9–10 September 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Forum adopted recommendations to advance ASEAN’s commitments to eliminate force labour, work towards reduced remittance fees and related costs, and promote occupational safety and health, freedom of association and facilitated recruitment fees in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Over 90 participants attended onsite, representing the governments, regional and national workers’, employers’, and civil society organisations from ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste, ILO, IOM, UN Women, and ASEAN Dialogue Partners from Australia, Canada and Switzerland, and the ASEAN Secretariat. The 19th AFML will be hosted by the Philippines in 2026.

Photo credit: Human Resources, Malaysia