General Debate of the 110th Session of the IOM Council, 26 - 29 November 2019, Geneva
The Islamic Republic of Iran, General Debate of the 110th Session of the IOM Council
26 - 29 November 2019, Geneva
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Statement by
H.E. Mr. Javad Amin-Mansour
Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative
The Islamic Republic of Iran
General Debate of the 110th Session of the IOM Council
26 - 29 November 2019, Geneva
Mr. Chairman,
At the outset, I would like to congratulate you and the other distinguished members of the Bureau on their well-deserved election. I take the opportunity and welcome the Government of Lebanon for its membership in IOM. My thanks go to the Director-General, Mr. Vitorino and his team in the secretariat for the informative report to the Council and their efforts to advance the reform process of the Organization in order to enhance the role and capacity of IOM. We express our condolences to the families of the IOM health workers who were killed in the field, while dedicating themselves to serve vulnerable people.
Mr. Chairman,
It has always been emphasized that Migration can be a driving engine of economic growth and innovation, and it can greatly contribute to sustainable development and the reduction of inequalities both within and between countries. However, we believe that the role and impact of migration on development should be measured in light of the economic, social and cultural conditions of different societies. Although immigration for developed economies with sustained economic growth, low rate of unemployment and relatively intact population act as a development engine, for the developing economies with the young demographic composition and usually high rate of unemployment can hinder the economic growth and development. In other words, migration in some cases may provide opportunities and in some other cases may create new challenges.
In my Government’s view, only an effective, efficient, accountable and transparent organization with strategic vision along with its robust implementation mechanism is fit for purpose and able to meet the existing expectations and the new challenges. As rightly mentioned in the DG report, development of IOM regional strategies are useful when they encompass the specificities of each region and should be coordinated with the relevant regional governance structures. In addition, international cooperation, mobilization of additional financial resources, technical assistance, and enjoyment of the qualified staff, particularly at the management level, and improvement in field operations would help Organization promote efficiency and effectiveness. We expect that within the reform process and institutional changes in the Organization, necessary mechanisms and tools be developed for ensuring balanced geographical representation in order to meet the legitimate expectations of underrepresented and non-represented State members in the IOM.
Mr. Chairman,
Migrant crisis is one of the most serious challenges that the world has ever faced since the Second World War. Migration would be on rise if the root causes and the main drivers of displacement will not be addressed in a realistic and unbiased manner. We believe that slowness in developmental processes in developing world, the existing inequalities among and within countries, wide range of poverty, as well as conflicts and, economic sanctions are among the main causes for displacement of many people across the globe. We invite IOM to launch studies on the economic sanctions as one of the causes of displacement and also its impacts on the movement and living conditions of Migrants.
One cannot turn a blind eye to the unilateralism, and nationalist populism, the resurgence of extremist right-wing sentiments and xenophobic politics as the most recent threatening elements which pollutes multilateralism and seriously undermines the ideal of human solidarity and dignity with respect to migrants. We express our concern over the criminalization of solidarity with migrants in some parts of the world. Blaming, investigating and prosecuting of several activists for saving migrants’ lives and providing humanitarian assistance are unwarranted, in particular when some States are unwilling or unable to provide assistance, despite their obligations under the international law. We are also deeply disturbed by certain policies and inhuman treatment of migrants, which lead to the separation of the children from their own parents or guardians.
Mr. Chairman,
We believe that enhancing the IOM’s collaboration, cooperation and synergies with the United Nations Agencies, especially with those having a clear mandate in responding to the multiple challenges of human mobility, is of great importance. This could help find ways and means to address appropriately the question of human mobility and migration-related issues.
While appreciating IOM for doing a number of projects with the assistance of donor countries, we expect IOM to address multifaceted and complex issues, in a more concerted and coordinated manner, through defining and implementing further projects related to resettlement, voluntary return, and reintegration of the nationals of Afghanistan from the Islamic Republic of Iran to their country.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, we hope that the Organization would help promote a well-balanced and inclusive approach towards the better management of migration at global level.
I thank you,