DPM & FM Demeke calls on IOM to scale up support to Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, October 10, 2023 (FBC) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen called on the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to scale up its support for Ethiopia in its endeavors to manage migration.

Mr. Demeke, who received the Director General of the IOM at his office today, congratulated her on her election and expressed his desire for a strong partnership with the Ethiopian government.

He also briefed her on the implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement and underscored the key role of the IOM in our resettlement and rehabilitation programs.

The IOM chief, on her part, said that the beginning of her inaugural visit to Addis Ababa, the political capital of Africa, is a testament to the close cooperation.

The IOM is committed to being a partner in resettlement and rebuilding, she noted.

Since her arrival on Sunday 8 October, the IOM chief has held several discussions with Ethiopian government officials and the African Union Commission.

In her meeting between the Minister of Women and Social Affairs of Ethiopia, Ms. Ergogie Tesfaye, and the new IOM DG, the two sides discussed about the current situation of migrants and returnees, the challenges, as well as how to continue collaborating to support vulnerable migrants.

Meanwhile, in her meeting with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, they discussed We discussed how the UN Migration Agency and the AU can work together to harness the potential of human mobility in Africa by creating more regular pathways for migrants.

The new IOM chief has also met and held discussions with the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, and other officials.

She is also attending a high-level policy roundtable on regional integration and human mobility in East and the Horn of Africa region, co-hosted by IOM at African Union, IGAD Secretariat, East African Community, and Amani Africa in Addis Ababa this afternoon.

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 has taken 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.