Statement by H.E. Ambassador Reza Dehghani before 38th Session of the IOM Standing Committee on Programs and Finance
Agenda item 2: Annual Report for 2025
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Statement
by
H.E. Ambassador Reza Dehghani
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva
before
38th Session of the IOM Standing Committee on Programs and Finance
Agenda item 2: Annual Report for 2025
Geneva, June 24, 2026
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بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
We align ourselves with the statement delivered by Thailand on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Group.
We thank Director General for her comprehensive report and appreciate IOM’s efforts in navigating an exceptionally difficult year marked by rising displacement and serious financial constraints.
The report highlights a clear reality: human mobility today is increasingly shaped by war, conflict, climate shocks, economic instability, and widening inequalities.
Wars and conflicts continue to drive displacement at a pace that far exceeds the response capacity of humanitarian and migration systems. Their consequences extend well beyond periods of active conflict. Economic decline often persists long after hostilities have ended. Public services continue to face significant pressure. Together, these factors contribute to sustained and prolonged displacement, even after the cessation of fighting.
Iran understands this reality firsthand. Over the past year alone, Iran has been subjected to two unlawful war of aggression. These experiences have further underscored the profound human consequences of conflict and instability. More broadly, over the past decades, wars and military interventions in two neighboring countries have generated significant displacement pressures, the consequences of which have extended far beyond our region.
Apart from the consequences of war, Iran, as one of the largest host countries, continues to shoulder significant responsibilities in hosting and supporting large migrant populations, while prolonged economic pressures, including unilateral sanctions, have placed additional strain on national capacities and public services.
These realities place an increasing burden on my country as on the main frontline countries. In this context, Iran believes that migration governance requires a more balanced, comprehensive, and integrated approach. Support for host and transit countries must remain a central pillar of international efforts. At the same time, greater attention should be directed toward addressing the structural drivers of displacement in countries of origin, including through practical cooperation and capacity-building initiatives that draw upon the experience, expertise, and capabilities of frontline host countries.
Sustainable migration management cannot be achieved through border measures alone. In many contexts, irregular movements are driven not only by economic hardship, but also by weak civil registration systems, fragmented identity records, and limited access to legal mobility channels. These gaps contribute to irregular migration and undocumented movements, creating serious challenges for host countries.
This is particularly relevant for major countries of origin such as Afghanistan. Strengthening identity systems, documentation, and legal pathways can help address these challenges more effectively. At the same time, host countries apply sovereign migration laws in managing irregular movements, and such frameworks will remain indispensable.
Mr. Chair,
We would welcome IOM’s views on how support provided in countries of origin can be more effectively linked to the development of regular migration pathways.
Iran stands ready to expand cooperation with IOM at its 75th anniversary, particularly in strengthening identity systems, improving documentation pathways, and supporting more regular, orderly and sustainable mobility.
Finally, predictable, sustainable, flexible, and unearmarked funding remains essential for the effective implementation of IOM’s mandate. We also underscore the importance of equitable geographical representation within IOM staffing and enhanced transparency in country-level programming, in close coordination with the relevant national authorities.
I thank you.
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