International Organization for Migration (IOM)
1. Responding to the multiple crises, has the governing body of your organization taken any decisions or adopted any new strategies to enhance effective delivery of sustainable, resilient, and innovative solutions and to reinforce the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and poverty eradication?
Today’s sobering picture of reversing SDG progress is a clarion call to redouble efforts to leave no one behind and overcome the triple planetary crisis – and to utilize every available solution to achieve this. This generation has the mandate to address unprecedented global challenges with all possible levers. Human mobility is one such lever and in fact, none of today’s challenges facing people and planet today can be tackled effectively without considering human mobility: the climate emergency is accelerating, adding to existing multiple crises in various countries around the world, while violent conflict and poverty continue. Many societies are highly unequal and divided, and the lingering effects of the pandemic have weakened social cohesion. Public budgets are limited and face imminent further constraints. Meanwhile, demographic trends, the world of work and global digital capacities are changing fast. Human mobility is linked to all these complexities – and needs to be hardwired in their solutions. Put simply, the 2030 Agenda cannot be achieved without weaving human mobility into our responses.
While migrants are often among the furthest left behind, they simultaneously push forward development, well-being and growth. Migrants are meeting the demands and needs of changing and tightening labour markets and mitigating divergent demographic trends within and across regions. They are driving entrepreneurship, including green transition initiatives, and supporting adaptation to the impacts of climate change and conflicts. Further, people on the move can boost global value chains and development financing – through regular migration pathways, remittances and diaspora capital.
Well-managed human mobility is key to achieving the 2030 Agenda. Mobility must be integrated across development, humanitarian and many other efforts, which bring alive various mobility-development links. On the eve of the opening of the SDG Summit, IOM launched the flagship report “Leveraging Human Mobility to Rescue the 2030 Agenda”, the first of its kind in terms of its scope and the main IOM contribution to the SDG Summit and to take forward implementation of the resulting Political Declaration. It reviews available evidence on how people on the move contribute to development under six proposed “Acceleration Actions” and presents the concrete benefits that could be reaped if these actions are implemented. The six Acceleration Actions are aligned to the six UN Transitions, and they provide an integrated narrative and business case for how safe and regular migration pathways can be leveraged to accelerate progress across SDGs, navigate unfolding global transformations; and meet the challenges of the future.
2. In the past year, has your organization organized any intergovernmentally mandated conferences, forums or events that contributed to the achievement of the SDGs, or in the process of planning and organizing any such mandated events to be held next year?
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Event Name: |
International Dialogue on Migration (IDM) – First Session 2023 |
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Event Dates: |
30-31 March 2023 |
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Event Location (City, Country): |
New York, USA |
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Relevant SDGs: |
All 17 SDGs |
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Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s) |
IOM's International Dialogue on Migration (IDM) is a platform to bring together a wide range of stakeholders of human mobility and discuss, analyse and share knowledge and perspectives on key issues. This session of the IDM 2023 formed a part of a broader global process to develop transformative and accelerated actions leading up to the target year of 2030 for achieving the SDGs. In the lead-up to the SDG Summit, this session focused on assessing how migration – and IOM – can further contribute to the attainment of the SDGs, leaving no one behind. |
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Website (if applicable) |
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Event Name: |
International Dialogue on Migration (IDM) – Second Session 2023 |
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Event Dates: |
05 and 06 October 2023 |
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Event Location (City, Country): |
Geneva, Switzerland |
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Relevant SDGs: |
All 17 SDGs |
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Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s) |
IOM's International Dialogue on Migration (IDM) has held a pioneering role in bringing together all migration stakeholders, at a global level, for open discussions on the opportunities and challenges which migration presents. Founded in 2001 and rooted in IOM’s Constitution and Strategy, it provides space to analyse current and emerging issues in migration governance and to exchange experiences, policy approaches and effective practices.
Building on the outcomes of the Kampala Declaration and the SDG Summit, the second session of the 2023 IDM brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including States, UN organizations, civil society, the private sector, youth, and migrants and their communities to foster multi-level understanding, cooperation and trust among participants, create opportunities for collaboration on common climate change-related challenges, identify effective solutions to climate mobility, and help place climate mobility high on global and regional agendas. |
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Website (if applicable) |
https://www.iom.int/international-dialogue-migration-2023-think-about-tomorrow-act-today |
3. In the past year, has your organization published or planned to publish any analytical work or guidance note or toolkits to guide and support the implementation of SDGs at national, regional and global levels? Please select up to three to highlight, especially those that address interlinkages among the SDGs.
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Resource Name |
Diaspora Organization Toolkit (DOT) |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
10, 16 and 17 |
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Publishing entity/entities |
IOM, UNDP, DMA Global |
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Target audience |
Diaspora Organizations |
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Description (max 150 words) |
Diaspora organizations play a vital role in the acceleration of SDGs, yet often lack the necessary support to maximize their potential. This initiative is dedicated to bridging this gap by introducing a comprehensive training platform designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of diaspora organization leaders across a wide range of technical and thematic areas.
The Dublin Declaration, adopted in April 2022 by IOM, 29 governments, and the African Union, places a strong emphasis on providing the essential resources to strengthen the capacity of diaspora leaders and organizations. This includes training, exchange learning programs, technical and financial support, the development of specialized guidelines, and formal recognition and institutionalization. The Toolkit aligns with these objectives, ensuring that diaspora organizations receive the support they need to thrive and contribute effectively to their communities. |
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Language(s) |
EN, FR, ES, PT |
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Website (if applicable) |
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Resource Name |
IOM’s Integrated Settlements Approach toolkit |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
10,11,13, 16 and 17 |
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Publishing entity/entities |
IOM |
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Target audience |
IOM program staff |
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Description (max 150 words) |
Rooted in the new IOM Global Shelter and Settlements Strategy, IOM’s Integrated Settlements Approach is a methodology to operationalize the HPDN in practice, that recognizes the complexity of human settlements and the need to develop a coherent set of initiatives tailored to needs and capacities of each defined territory and designed to address multiple interconnected issues simultaneously.
Through participatory, multisectoral, multi-dimensional, and spatial analysis it seeks to develop a thorough understanding of drivers of immediate and intermediate needs, and underlying causes of conflict and vulnerability. By engaging stakeholders in communities in defined geographical areas the approach leverages existing resources and capacities, links interventions to wider national and subnational development plans, and champions multi-sectoral interventions to address priority needs at the individual, social, and structural levels. The approach fosters capacities for peaceful co-existence and the establishment of resilient societies. |
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Language(s) |
EN |
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Website (if applicable) |
Forthcoming |
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Resource Name |
Working with Migrant Children at the Borders of the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom: A Toolkit for Front-line Workers |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 and 17 |
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Publishing entity/entities |
IOM |
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Target audience |
Front-line workers defined as a person who works at an international border where migrants arrive by sea, land or air |
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Description (max 150 words) |
This Toolkit builds on the outcomes of an international thematic workshop on addressing the needs of migrant children at borders, consolidated with IOM best practices and additional research inputs. Various relevant stakeholders from selected countries participated in the workshop and included law enforcement authorities, border management officials, front-line workers, migrant reception operators, social workers, legal guardians, human rights agencies, international organizations and civil society organizations, among others. This toolkit serves as a practical guidance tool for addressing the needs of migrant children at the borders of the European Union, as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It was specifically developed to support national authorities and practitioners working in the field of reception at borders, by equipping them with the relevant knowledge, skills and informational resources that would enable them to provide appropriate services. |
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Language(s) |
EN |
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Website (if applicable) |
4. In connection with the 2023 SDG Summit, the United Nations development system announced 12 High-Impact Initiatives where transformative progress is possible despite challenging global circumstances. Please share if your organization is contributing to any of these High Impact Initiatives and how various actors are being rallied behind them to mobilize further leadership and investment to bring progress to scale.
Not at this time.
5. In addition to the above, has your organization been part of any other initiatives or multi-stakeholder partnerships that enhance effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions and reinforce the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially in the areas of SDG1 (no poverty), SDG2 (zero hunger), SDG13 (climate action), SDG16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), SDG17 (partnerships for the goals), which will go under in-depth review at the HLPF in 2024, or related to the Secretary-General’s proposals in Our Common Agenda?
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Initiative/Partnership Name |
Global Diaspora Policy Alliance |
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Partners (please list all partners) |
Multistakeholder initiative: African Union, Armenia, Bangladesh, Cabo Verde, Colombia, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, France, Georgia, Germany, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Mozambique, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Türkiye, Uruguay, Diaspora Organizations, Private Sector, Youth and Academia. |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
1, 3, 5, 13, 10, 16 and 17 |
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Member States benefiting from it |
African Union, Armenia, Bangladesh, Cabo Verde, Colombia, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, France, Georgia, Germany, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Mozambique, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Türkiye, Uruguay, |
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Description (max 150 words) |
The Global Diaspora Summit produced a recommendation to establish a Global Diaspora Policy Alliance (GDPA), as outlined in the Dublin Declaration. The GDPA's purpose is to create a collaborative network across governments and stakeholders that empowers diaspora communities to actively contribute to sustainable development. This initiative aims to supplement existing resources by prioritizing diaspora engagement in global development policies and expediting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). IOM and its partners facilitated a series of multistakeholder consultations to lay the groundwork for the GDPA. This included a significant hybrid Global Multistakeholder Consultation in May 2022, which saw Member States reaffirm their commitment to the Dublin Declaration and the presentation of a draft GDPA structure. Subsequent written consultations and a global online survey gathered feedback from various stakeholders, while four Regional Consultations in September 2023 aimed to address diverse regional perspectives and needs. |
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Website |
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Initiative/Partnership Name |
Priority SDG Indicator Methodological Paper |
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Partners (please list all partners) |
IOM, UNHCR |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 16 |
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Member States benefiting from it |
The target audience of this initiative is data collectors of information on displaced persons and refugees as well as National Statistical Offices in countries where this data is relevant. |
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Description (max 150 words) |
The United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC), at its 47th session in 2016, established the Expert Group on Refugee, IDP and Statelessness Statistics (EGRISS) with the initial mandate to develop International Recommendations on Refugee Statistics (IRRS). EGRISS’ mandate was later extended to develop the International Recommendations on Internally Displaced Persons Statistic (IRIS) and a Compilers’ Manual. EGRISS is a multi-stakeholder group comprised by members from 57 national authorities and 36 regional and international organizations.
IOM is collaborating through the EGRISS/IRIS to produce a framework for capturing the progress of IDPs, refugees and stateless people against 14 selected priority sustainable development goal indicators. The production of a methodological paper to act as guidance is being carried out with colleagues from UNHCR, World Bank and other UN agencies to harness expertise from diverse fields that will inform both challenges and best practices for how to collect data that will measure these populations' progress against the SDGs. |
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Website |
https://egrisstats.org/recommendations/international-recommendations-on-idp-statistics-iris/ |
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Initiative/Partnership Name
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Inter-regional Briefings and Discussion Virtual Sessions with IOM Member States on IOM’s Policy on the full Spectrum of Return, Readmission and Reintegration |
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Partners (please list all partners) |
All Member States |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
1, 10, 16 and 17 |
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Member States benefiting from it |
A total of 95 countries globally in 2023 |
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Description (max 150 words) |
In April 2021 IOM released its Policy on the Full Spectrum of Return, Readmission and Reintegration, which elaborates a series of principles that guide IOM’s actions along the spectrum of return migration globally. The briefings provide a platform to share experiences in the context of return, readmission, and reintegration and to gather feedback to continue to effectively implement the policy. They also provide an opportunity for stakeholders to jointly reflect on commonalities and challenges and explore solutions among sending and receiving countries.
Since the Policy release, briefings were held in October 2021 to present the Policy; in November 2022 to share the key actions on its operationalization; in March 2023 to discuss return counselling and promoting migrants’ protection; and in July 2023 to present how an integrated approach to reintegration can help link reintegration programmes with development programmes. The fifth briefing (Nov 2023) will focus on a Whole-of-government Approach to return and reintegration. |
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Website |
n/a |
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Initiative/Partnership Name |
United Nations Network on Migration (UNNM): Workstream on promoting safe, dignified and rights-based return and readmission, and sustainable reintegration
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Partners (please list all partners) |
Co-leads: IOM, UNICEF, UNHCR and MPI Members: Advocacy Network Against Irregular Migration in Sierra Leone, Independent researchers – Jill Alpes, Izabella Majcher, ICMC, IMUMI, Initiative on Child Rights in the Global Compacts, IRARA, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), OHCHR, PICUM |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 17 |
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Member States benefiting from it |
All Member States |
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Description (max 150 words) |
The overall objective of the UNNM Workstream on promoting safe, dignified and rights-based return and readmission, and sustainable reintegration is to contribute to strengthening efforts of member states to ensure safe, dignified and right-based return and readmission and sustainable reintegration.
Under the UNNM Workplan (2022 – 2024) the workstream will focus on: operationalization of return and reintegration tools developed by UNNM, strengthening capacities of key stakeholders on child protection, legal identity (developing and rolling out guidance with best practice to states on ensuring access to legal identity to all returning migrants), support national and transnational responses for the implementation of GCM of those countries which made pledges on return and reintegration, particularly those focusing on promoting right-based approach to return and reintegration and needs of migrants in vulnerable situations, and support the development of a GCM indicator on rights-based returns and sustainable reintegration, in close cooperation with the Workstream on Indicators. |
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Website |
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Initiative/Partnership Name |
CLIMB Database |
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Partners (please list all partners) |
IOM and Platform for Disaster Displacement |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
10, 13, 10, 16 and 17 |
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Member States benefiting from it |
All Member States |
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Description (max 150 words) |
This platform, established in 2023, focuses on policy and legal instruments and practices addressing human mobility in the context of the adverse effects of climate change, disasters, and environmental degradation. The tool provides a resource for policymakers as well as researchers, practitioners and other stakeholders working in the area of policy development on human mobility, disasters, climate change, and environmental degradation. Although the database uses the implementation of GCM commitments as a starting point, it can also be relevant in relation to other key global policy frameworks in this area (e.g. the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Sendai Framework). The database should be considered as a living repository, regularly updated as national and regional policy review efforts progress |
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Website |
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Initiative/Partnership Name |
Task Force on Displacement |
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Partners (please list all partners) |
https://unfccc.int/process/bodies/constituted-bodies/WIMExCom/TFD/membership |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
10, 13 and 17 |
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Member States benefiting from it |
All Member States |
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Description (max 150 words) |
The Task Force on Displacement (TFD) was established in 2015 at COP 21, with its mandate later extended at the recommendation by the Executive Committee of the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss & Damage in 2018. In its first phase, the TFD developed recommendations for integrated approaches to avert, minimize and address displacement related to the adverse impacts of climate change. The second phase (2019-2022) TFD catalyzed a wide range of actions and the production of knowledge products by its member organizations.
In its current phase work (2023), the TFD focuses more broadly on strategic workstream (d) of the current five-year rolling workplan of the ExCom, which aims to enhance cooperation and facilitation in relation to human mobility, including migration, displacement and planned relocation. In particular, this strategic workstream focuses on better understanding the impacts of climate change on human mobility, disseminating and facilitating the uptake of the recommendations developed in the first phase, as well as facilitating stakeholder engagement for further action. |
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Website |
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Initiative/Partnership Name |
Regional Capacity-Building Hub on Migration and Health |
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Partners (please list all partners) |
Multi-stakeholder initiative IOM Mexico, ministries of health, Ibero-American University (IAU), Red Chilena de Investigación en Salud y Migración, Columbia University and El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, among other universities |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
3, 10 and 17 |
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Member States benefiting from it |
Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands, Venezuela |
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Description (max 150 words) |
While there has been some progress made in relation to the inclusion of migrants in health systems across North, Central and South America, they often remain excluded, which exacerbates inequalities and compromises realization of universal health coverage and the SDGs. Even when migrants are entitled to health care, they often face barriers such as complex administrative requirements, expensive costs or the risk of being denounced by immigration authorities if they do not have a regular status.
In this context, noting the urgent need to train government and non-governmental actors so they can understand and advocate for migrants’ rights to health, IOM launched in 2022 a Regional Capacity-Building Hub on Migration and Health. National and local actors will receive via the Hub trainings and practical tools through an academic working group, and a comprehensive migration health curriculum co-developed with the Ibero-American University. |
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Website |
N/A |
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Initiative/Partnership Name |
OCHA CERF Anticipatory Action Frameworks |
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Partners (please list all partners) |
OCHA, WHO, WFP, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNFPA |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
SDG 13 |
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Member States benefiting from it |
Somalia, Malawi, South Sudan, Philippines |
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Description (max 150 words) |
Anticipatory action is commonly defined as acting ahead of predicted hazards to prevent or reduce acute humanitarian impacts before they fully unfold. Anticipatory action works best if activities (the delivery), as well as triggers and decision-making rules (the model) are pre-agreed to guarantee the fast release of pre-arranged financing (the money). OCHA is mainstreaming and scaling-up inter-agency anticipatory actions. OCHA implements this strategy by facilitating coordinated, collective anticipatory action frameworks. Each framework comprises the three core elements: A forecast-based trigger embedded in a clear decision-making process (the model), Pre-agreed action plans that can mitigate the impact of the emergency and the need for humanitarian relief (the delivery) and Pre-arranged finance (the money).
IOM has joined four OCHA CERF Anticipatory Action Frameworks, focusing on climate related disasters such as drought, dry spells, floods and typhoons. Other frameworks with IOM participation are in development. |
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Website |
6. In the Political Declaration adopted at the 2023 SDG Summit, Member States committed to using the review of the high-level political forum at the 78th session of the General Assembly to further strengthen the follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, harnessing data to track progress in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and targets, strengthening analysis of the interlinkages across the Goals and targets, including policy implications of their synergies and trade-offs. Please provide your organization’s recommendations, if any, in this regard.
As we support Member States in their preparation of the Pact for the Future, we call for a migration and mobility-sensitive approach to tackling the complex issues facing the world:
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The climate emergency is accelerating, adding to existing multiple crises in various countries around the world, while violent conflict and poverty continue to cause human suffering. Too many societies remain unequal and divided, and the lingering effects of the pandemic have weakened social bonds. Public budgets are struggling to meet needs and face imminent further constraints. Meanwhile, changing demographics and digital technologies are rapidly reshaping the world of work.
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Human mobility is linked to all of these complexities – and can contribute to solutions.
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The IOM Flagship Report “Leveraging Human Mobility to Rescue the 2030 Agenda” which was launched during the SDG Action Weekend as IOM’s main substantive contribution to the SDG Summit lays out – in unambiguous terms – the contributions that people on the move make to sustainable development; and it underlines how, with bold commitments and transformative action, human mobility can be leveraged to help reach the SDGs and advance Our Common Agenda, for the benefit of future generations:
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For instance, remittances can bring educational, health and other benefits and support productive investments. Further, they help stabilize macroeconomic volatility by financing current account deficits, and act as insurance during crises or after disasters. They can also present a useful source of foreign currency and assets in countries’ Balance of Payments
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We have the evidence and the frameworks we need:
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Rooted in the 2030 Agenda, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) offers a 360-degree vision to optimize the overall benefits of migration for sustainable development;
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And the Secretary General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement can transform the way displacement crises are resolved, prevented, and addressed.
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