The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a leading inter-governmental organization promoting cooperation on migration issues worldwide, has pledged stronger partnership with the Fijian Government in the shared priorities, which includes building resilience against climate change and the global pandemic.
This was conveyed at a farewell courtesy call paid by the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Chief of Mission for Australia and Coordinator and Advisor for New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific, Mr. Pär Liljert to the Permanent Secretary for Office of the Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs, Mr Yogesh Karan, at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), this morning.
On behalf of the Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Mr Karan thanked Mr Liljert for his commitment and service to Fiji and the Pacific.
He acknowledged IOM’s various contributions to Fiji and the region, since the establishment of the IOM Pacific Office in Suva, in 2017.
IOM’s assistance to Fiji has been mainly through provision of humanitarian assistance in response to natural disasters and there is ongoing cooperation in areas of climate adaptation strategy, climate emergency and preparedness and labour mobility and migration, amongst others.
Regional partnership of IOM through Pacific Climate Migration and Human Security Project (PCCM-HS), including initiatives to enhance engagements of the Fijian diaspora towards Fiji’s national development and Fiji’s migration profile to promote policy coherence and evidence based policy, have been recognised.
At the meeting, views were also exchanged on the potential opportunities for strengthened collaboration in accelerating climate actions, oceans and environmental protection, as integral to achieving sustainable and resilient economies.
Mr Karan thanked Mr. Liljert for the opportunity to meet in person and the discussions they had will pave a way forward to enhance Fiji and IOM’s cooperation at all levels.
He also extended the Fijian Government’s best wishes to Mr. Liljert for his future endeavors and his new role as the Director of IOM to the United Nations.
“Fiji and IOM are working very closely together on issues related to climate change and human mobility, border management, countering human trafficking, diaspora engagement, and on establishing four multi-purpose evacuation centres. Globally Fiji has been a strong voice to support the Global Compact on Migration (GCM) and the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF)”, said Mr Liljert.
Mr Liljert was accompanied to the meeting by Chief of Mission-International Organisation for Migration, Fiji Mr. Solomon Kantha.
”IOM has had a very strong partnership with several government Ministries on enhancing engagement with #Fijian diaspora abroad; supporting the government’s work on countering trafficking in persons and establishing a national referral mechanism to provide assistance to victims of trafficking; training immigration and border officials on IOM’s standard operating procedures for reopening of borders; and working closely with other UN agency partners and Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS) on drafting a regional framework for climate mobility.” Mr Kantha said #Fiji became an IOM member state in 2013, with signing of the Cooperation Agreement in 2015 between IOM and the Government.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading inter-governmental organization promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, with a presence in over 100 countries, and supporting 174 member states to improve migration management. In 2019, IOM provided support to 30 million persons, including 23 million persons on the move (internally displaced persons, migrants and refugees) and 7 million host community members.
