IOM DG applauds Ethiopia’s leading role in governance of migration in the region

Addis Ababa, October 2, 2023 (FBC) – The new Director-General of the UN Migration Agency (IOM – International Organization for Migration), Amy E. Pope commended Ethiopia’s crucial role in leading regional ministerial forum on migration.

The new IOM DG praised Ethiopia’s role at the forefront of migration in the region during a meeting with Tsegab Kebebew, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to UN and other organizations in Switzerland, at the IOM headquarters office in Geneva.

During the meeting, Ambassador Tsegab appreciated the support provided by IOM in facilitating the return of Ethiopian migrants who were in vulnerable situations in the Middle East and other countries.

He emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of migration by developing sustainable strategies that foster economic growth, social stability, and environmental resilience, thereby reducing irregular migration.

The new Director General of IOM Amy Pope, on her part, applauded the important role that Ethiopia is playing in leading the regional Ministerial Forum on Migration and highlighted the opportunity of migration if properly managed, according to Ethiopian Permanent Mission in Geneva.

Moreover, in her first presser as the new chief of IOM, Amy Pope confirmed that she will travel to Ethiopia on her first official visit from Sunday to highlight the scale of migration happening around the continent.

She will visit the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, before meeting Ethiopian government officials.
The new DG is also expected to discuss with the African Union the best way of guaranteeing the movement of people, in particular to support the free trade agreements promoted by the organisation.

After her visit to the home of African Union, Addis Ababa, Amy Pope will then travel to Kenya and Djibouti.

Amy Pope of the United States of America has begun her five-year term as the eleventh Director General (DG) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on October 1, 2023. The first woman to become Director General in IOM’s 72-year history, DG Pope was elected on 15 May 2023 during the Sixth Special Session of the IOM Council in Geneva.

She takes over from António Vitorino of Portugal, who had served as IOM Director General since October 2018. DG Pope expressed her sincere gratitude to Mr. Vitorino for his stewardship of IOM over the past five years and paid tribute to his commitment to the Organization.

Underlining the importance of partnerships, DG Pope noted, “During a time of unprecedented migration, IOM cannot do this work alone. I will continue to ensure all 175 Member States’ voices are heard in designing, coordinating and implementing practical solutions for all. We will build partnerships with the private sector, with civil society and with other stakeholders, recognizing that society benefits when migration is well managed.”

Established in 1951, the IOM is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. IOM is part of the United Nations system, as a related organization.