Consider the following statements about platforms for multilateral co-operation: 1) The “Colombo Process” is a regional consultative process in which member states take binding decisions. 2) The “Abu Dhabi Dialogue” is a voluntary and non-binding consultative process among Asian countries. [2026]

Consider the following statements about platforms for multilateral co-operation:

The “Colombo Process” is a regional consultative process in which member states take binding decisions.
The “Abu Dhabi Dialogue” is a voluntary and non-binding consultative process among Asian countries.
The Global Forum for Migration and Development (GFMD) created by the proposal of a former UN Secretary-General is a voluntary forum where decisions are non-binding.

The Colombo Process is a voluntary and non-binding consultative process. Member states do not take binding decisions by consensus.

The Abu Dhabi Dialogue is a voluntary, non-binding consultative process among Asian countries of both labour origin and destination to facilitate regional cooperation on contractual labour mobility.

The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) is a voluntary, informal, and non-binding state-led process designed to address the multidimensional links between international migration and development. Proposed in 2006 by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, it serves as an open platform for UN member states to share best practices.

India is the chair of the Colombo Process for 2024-26 for the first time since its inception in 2003.
It is a regional consultative forum comprising 12 Asian nations concerning migration.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), Sri Lanka, provides technical and administrative support to the Colombo Process.
Founders: Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Viet Nam.
Observers include ADB, ASEAN, European Commission, ILO, International Committee of the Red Cross, IOM, SAARC, UNAIDS, UNDP, UN Women, World Bank, and Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA).
Thematic Priority Areas
- Skills and Qualification Recognition Processes
- Fostering Ethical Recruitment Practices
- Pre-departure Orientation and Empowerment
- Promote Cheaper, Faster and Safer Transfer of Remittances
- Labor Market Analysis

In 2008, Member States of the Colombo Process and two countries of destination, Malaysia and Singapore, met with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Yemen to discuss practices and policies about temporary contractual labour in Asia. The Abu Dhabi Dialogue (ADD) was then formed and the ADD Declaration adopted to address issues of temporary contractual labour mobility and to optimize labour mobility’s benefits for all participating countries.
The Abu Dhabi Dialogue is composed of 18 countries. 11 countries of origin: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam; and seven countries of destination: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen. Republic of Korea, Japan and Singapore act as Observer States. The ADD serves as a platform for countries of origin and destination to discuss the management of temporary contractual labour mobility in Asia.