The Almaty Process, a regional consultative process on migration, brings together international organizations, four Central Asian states and several neighbouring states, and civil society organizations to find solutions to regional migration challenges through intergovernmental dialogue, cooperation, and capacity building. The Almaty Process began in 2011 with the Regional Conference on Refugee Protection and International Migration in Central Asia. It is the fifth in a series of regional consultative processes organized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration in regions where refugee protection is in jeopardy. It offers participating states an opportunity to discuss and resolve important migration issues in an environment that respects state sovereignty and security as well as human rights. International organizations play an essential role in the Almaty Process in terms of funding, organizational and technical support, and educating and socializing participating state actors. Among other objectives, through the Almaty Process, UNHCR seeks to assist participating states in improving compliance with international refugee law, while also ensuring the protection of national security. Although the participating Central Asian countries are 'awkward states', and the Almaty Process faces various challenges, it has the potential to facilitate increased compliance with international refugee law in Central Asia. Ultimately, the Almaty Process could also contribute to addressing some of the root causes of migration in the region, particularly the underlying lack of respect for human rights. © The Author (2016). Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

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international migration immigration policy policy implementation refugee civil society Central Asia international law human rights