IOM Egypt Launches its Five-Year Migration Strategy for Egypt

Cairo - The International Organization of Migration (IOM) in Egypt has today launched its ‘Achievements Report for 2020’ and its ‘Strategy for 2021- 2025’. The event was attended by various key state actors, partners and UN officials including H.E Ambassador Neveen El Husseiny, Deputy Assistant Minister for Migration, Refugees and Combatting Human Trafficking, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Arab Republic of Egypt, Ms Elena Panova, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Arab Republic of Egypt and Mr Laurent de Boeck, IOM Chief of Mission to the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The ‘Achievements Report’ has highlighted IOM focus for 2020 which has witnessed the shift from ‘Quantity to Quality’ approach, to enhance the provided services to the most affected migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is worth noting that IOM Egypt has also adapted its workplan with a Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan. This adapted approach enabled IOM to work on continuing addressing the migration governance in Egypt, while providing urgent assistance to those migrants and host communities most in need.

The ‘Strategy 2021-2025’ reflects IOM Egypt role in supporting the Government of Egypt to achieve its Vision 2030, ultimately leveraging the potential of migrants and migration through a whole-of-government approach to achieve sustainable development outcomes for all. It also articulates IOM plans for supporting the achievement of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) objectives, especially after Egypt being a GCM Champion country.

“Collaboration between the Government of Egypt and IOM has increasingly developed throughout the years in different areas of migration governance,” said Mr de Boeck, IOM Chief of Mission in Egypt. “This year, 2021, we are celebrating 30 years of IOM partnership in Egypt. It is based on such solid partnership that IOM Egypt is pleased to present its Strategy for the years 2021-2025. IOM is committed to ensure safe, regular and orderly migration. My Office is looking forward to working with its partners on the operationalization of the Strategy 2021-2025 in alignment with Egypt priorities to ensure that no one is left behind.”  

“Migration governance is embedded in Egypt Sustainable Development Strategy: Vision 2030, embracing the three main pillars linked to economic, social and environment dimensions” affirmed H.E. Ambassador El Husseiny. “I want to commend the active support of IOM in proposing positive responses to support migrants in Egypt”.

IOM strategy contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, Goal 10 “Reduced Inequalities”, specifically target 10.7 “Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies”, Goal 16 “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and Goal 17 “Partnerships for the Goals”.  

Migration remains one of the most significant features and issues in the 21st century. Achieving the sustainable development goals and good migration governance requires collective action based on trust, partnership and shared humanity is needed now more than ever. “I wish IOM greatest success with its new strategy and look forward to constructive years ahead with IOM continuing its key role in the field of sustainable development and humanitarian action” said Ms Panova during her opening remarks.