Ethiopia, IOM vow to make concerted efforts to address issues of migration

Addis Ababa, December 14, 2023 (FBC) – The Government of Ethiopia and the International Organization of Migration (IOM) said Thursday they would make concerted efforts to address issues of migration.

The Director General of the UN Migration Agency (IOM – International Organization for Migration), Amy E. Pope, received Demeke Mekonnen today at her office in Geneva, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the Global Refugee Forum 2023.

During their discussion, Mr. Demeke underscored the necessity of linking migration with development to address the challenges of illegal migration.

IOM Director General Amy Pope, on her side, welcomed Demeke and reaffirmed the commitment of IOM to further deepen cooperation to address common interests.

IOM also agreed to consolidate partnerships to harness migration for sustainable development.

In her first official working visit as IOM chief, the DG traveled to Ethiopia last October where she met with high-level government officials, including President Sahle-Work Zewde and Deputy PM & FM Demeke Mekonnen, Minister of Labor and Skills, Ms. Muferihat Kamil, Minister of Women and Social Affairs, Ms. Ergogie Tesfaye, as well as the African Union Commission officials and the UN agencies stationed in Addis Ababa.

She also praised Ethiopia’s role at the forefront of migration governance in the East African region.