New IOM chief to visit Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, October 2, 2023 (FBC) – The new Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM, alias known as UN Migration Agency), Amy E. Pope will visit Africa on her first official trip from Sunday to highlight the scale of migration happening around the continent.

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.

In her first presser as the new Director-General of the UN Migration Agency, Pope confirmed that 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.

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.”

Prior to her historic election, DG Pope was IOM’s Deputy Director General (DDG) for Management and Reform. During her tenure as DDG, Ms Pope implemented a series of budgetary, management and administrative reforms to optimize IOM’s field delivery and risk management, enhance internal justice outcomes and operational results, and strengthen coordination with the United Nations system.

Before joining IOM, DG Pope served as the Senior Advisor on Migration to US President Biden and served as the Deputy Homeland Security Advisor to President Obama. While working at the White House, DG Pope developed and implemented comprehensive strategies to address migration, in areas such as countering trafficking in persons, resettling refugees and vulnerable people, and preparing communities to respond and adapt to climate-related crises.

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.