IOM in Ireland

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) opened an office in Ireland in 2001. Ireland became a full member government of IOM in 2002. We work to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.

Our Values

Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. With 173 member states and 436 offices, a further 8 states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.

The IOM Constitution recognizes the link between migration and economic, social and cultural development, as well as to the right of freedom of movement. IOM activities that cut across these areas include the promotion of international migration law, policy debate and guidance, protection of migrants’ rights, migration health and the gender dimension of migration.

IOM’s STRATEGIC VISION 2019–2024 sets out a number of strategic priorities, based on a landscape assessment of what the next decade will bring. There are three main pillars of work:

Resilience: IOM will need to prepare for higher numbers of people moving in and out of vulnerable situations, stemming from a range of complex drivers, including climate change, instability, poverty and exploitation. IOM will endeavour to take a long-term and holistic approach to emergency response, integrating development objectives, and acknowledging changing drivers and vulnerabilities.

Mobility: The ways in which people move are constantly changing. As migration dynamics evolve, so must the tools that manage movement, whether relating to selection, identification, entry, stay or return. In this regard, IOM will pursue innovative approaches to design and implementation of systems to manage migration, based on its existing knowledge of what works, where, and for whom, and specific regional and political contexts.

Governance: IOM is already an important partner for Member States in terms of delivering services to migrants that governments cannot deliver themselves. With the advent of the Global Compact for Migration, there is a new opportunity for IOM to support governments to build capacity for the governance of migration, support for migrants, and to build stronger cooperation with other United Nations agencies. This requires stronger partnership with a broad range of stakeholders and partners, and the development of strong research and data collection capacities, to support decision- making in an often-difficult space.

Our Mission

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. As the leading international organization for migration, IOM acts with its partners in the international community to:

• Assist in meeting the growing operational challenges of migration management.
• Advance understanding of migration issues.
• Encourage social and economic development through migration.
• Uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants.

Our Constitution

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was established in December 1951 and began its operations in early 1952 as the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration. Its Constitution was adopted on 19 October 1953 and came into force on 30 November 1954. Following amendments made to the Constitution on 14 November 1989, the Organization was renamed the International Organization for Migration and, on 21 November 2013, the Executive Committee was abolished. IOM possesses full juridical personality and has its Headquarters in Geneva. It currently has 173 Member States. The Organization’s organs are the Council and the Administration. Click here to view the full text of the IOM Constitution.

 

THE COUNCIL

The Council, on which each Member State has one representative and one vote, is the highest authority and determines IOM policies.

 

THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON PROGRAMMES AND FINANCE

The Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance (SCPF) is a subcommittee of the Council. It is open to the entire membership and normally meets twice a year to examine and review policies, programmes and activities, to discuss administrative, financial and budgetary matters and to consider any matter specifically referred to it by the Council.

 

THE ADMINISTRATION

The Administration, which comprises a Director General, a Deputy Director General and such staff as the Council may determine, is responsible for administering and managing the Organization in accordance with the Constitution and the policies and decisions of the Council and the Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance. The Director General, who is the Organization’s highest executive official, and the Deputy Director General are independently elected by the Council for a period of five (5) years.