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32nd STANDING COMMITTEE ON PROGRAMMES AND FINANCE of IOM Agenda item 4: Annual report for 2022

Statement

 By

Mr. Ehsan Matinrazm

Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Before

32^nd STANDING COMMITTEE ON PROGRAMMES AND FINANCE of IOM

Agenda item 4: Annual report for 2022

 Geneva- 27 June 2023

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

Thank you, Madam Chair and thank you Director General for presenting the informative and comprehensive annual report for 2022 and the update of current activities.

I would like to express sincere gratitude of the Islamic republic of Iran to the International Organization of Migration (IOM) for its unwavering efforts in providing assistance to migrants and displaced populations, particularly in times of crisis.

Over the past four decades, Iran has both been a destination and a transit route for uprooted persons and migrants, including irregular migrants from neighboring Afghanistan. Following the political turmoil in Afghanistan as a result of the prolonged occupation and thoughtless withdrawal from the country, Iran has dealt with new flows of Afghan displaced persons in search of better livelihood in Iran. This situation has made Iran the second-largest host country in the world, hosting 3.4 million registered foreign nationals. Looking at the IOM’s Annual Report for 2022, we see this number is exactly equal to the Afghans and host communities who IOM provided them with assistance in 2022. However, informal statistics demonstrate the same volume of illegal immigrants are taking advantage of resources available in Iran and burdening our capabilities.

In our commitment to their well-being, the Iranian host communities and government, by application of the whole of government approach, have provided them with not only livelihood and access to jobs but also free and inclusive education for their children, essential healthcare services, including Universal Public Health Insurance, and comprehensive support against infectious diseases and during the pandemic.

Despite our sacrifices, we have been met with disproportionate unilateral sanctions, including secondary sanctions, and freezing of our own assets imposed by the main sources of this calamity. It is now more crucial than ever for international humanitarian actors to speak out against these sanctions, as they impede their ability to fulfill their humanitarian responsibilities properly. We have yet to receive the report and guidance issued by the working group of the IOM on sanctions.

We commend the IOM's commitment to scaling up its staffing and operations in Iran, exemplified by the revitalization of the IOM office in Tehran and the additional budget allocated to projects within our country. While we appreciate the generosity of some donors, we emphasize the need for comprehensive implementation policies by the IOM and other stakeholders to fully realize the allocated budget. In the same context, we call upon all Member States, particularly major donors, to increase flexible and un-earmarked voluntary contributions to bridge the current financial gap. Collaboration between host countries and the international community is pivotal in creating a more favorable environment for migrants and displaced persons.

Moreover, the International Professional and higher category staff table in annex III of the report demonstrates that there is big room for improvement of fair distribution of IOM’s career opportunities between member states. For example, Iran -as a country that is actively and continuously grappling with the plight of Afghan people on the move on an equal footing with the whole of the organization- has just five representatives in P- level category. Thus, we urge the IOM to allocate the career opportunities proportional to the burden of migration shouldered by each member state.

 In conclusion, Iran is committed to working hand in hand with the international community to shape a more efficient, effective, accountable, and transparent organization that remains dedicated to its mission. Together, we can pave the way for a better future, where the needs of migrants and displaced populations are protected and fulfilled in a collective global approach. We assure you of our cooperation in all endeavors undertaken to have an action-oriented and fit-for purpose organization focused on the main challenges associated with the management of migration and human mobility.

I thank you.