The International Organization for Migration (IOM), as the leading intergovernmental migration agency, has been at the forefront of operational, research, policy and advocacy efforts, seeking to bring environmental migration to the heart of international, regional and national concerns, in collaboration with its Member States, observers and partners. In 2021, IOM launched its 10-year Institutional Strategy on Migration, Environment and Climate Change 2021-2030. 

IOM STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

The Organization pursues three broad objectives in managing environmental migration, intervening at each stage of the migration cycle:

  1. “We develop solutions for people to move” - Managing migration in the context of climate change, environmental degradation, and disasters due to natural hazards.
  2. “We develop solutions for people on the move” - Assisting and protecting migrants and displaced persons in the context of climate change, environmental degradation, and disasters due to natural hazards.
  3. “We develop solutions for people to stay” - Making migration a choice by building resilience and addressing the adverse climatic and environmental drivers that compel people to move.

IOM PRIORITIES AREAS OF ENGAGEMENT

  • IOM migration policy role – As the leading intergovernmental migration agency, IOM will support States and other players to develop innovative rights-based migration policies and practices that integrate issues of climate change, environmental degradation and disasters due to natural hazards.
  • IOM knowledge provider role – As a leading knowledge provider, IOM will strengthen evidence-based policy and operational approaches to address migration in the context of climate change, environmental degradation and disasters due to natural hazards, through the production, analysis and dissemination of relevant data and knowledge.
  • IOM operational role – As a leading operational actor, IOM will support States and other players to operationalize responses to migration and displacement in the context of environmental degradation, climate change and disasters across the HDPN.
  • IOM convening role – As a leading convener, IOM will promote policy coherence and inclusive partnerships to mainstream the inclusion of migration and displacement considerations in climate change, environment, disaster and other relevant agendas.

 
RELEVANT INSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENTS
 

IOM Council:

Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance (SCPF):

  • 32nd Session of the Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance (2023) -  IOM’s comprehensive approach to disaster displacement
  • 31st Session of the Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance (2022) - Update on displacement, migration and climate action: promoting innovative approaches to prevention, preparedness, response and solutions
  • 28th Session of the Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance (2021) - Update on IOM institutional strategy on migration, environment and climate change
  • Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance (2019) - Update on policies and practices related to migration, the environment and climate change and IOM's Environmental Sustainability Programme (Document S/24/5; Presentation)
  • Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance (2017) - Migration, the Environment and Climate Change at IOM: Taking Stock of Progress English French Spanish
  • Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance (2016) - Migration, Environment and Climate Change: Institutional Developments and Contributions to Policy Processes English French Spanish 
  • Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance (2015) - Migration, Environment and Climate Change: Institutional Advances and Priorities for Policy Action English French Spanish 
  • Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance (2014) - IOM's Role and Activities Relating to Migration, the Environment and Climate Change English French Spanish
  • Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance (2011) - IOM's Role in the Humanitarian Response to Displacement Induced by Natural Disasters English French Spanish 
  • Standing Committee on Programmes and Finance (2008) - Migration and the Environment English French Spanish 

International Dialogue on Migration (IDM):

Related Topics & Pages

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Environmental Migration Portal