INTRODUCTION
IOM’s overall vision is to enhance good governance of migration throughout the Middle East and North Africa region, ultimately aspiring towards migration and human mobility that is humane and orderly and that benefits migrants and societies.
IOM will do so by addressing the mobility dimensions of crises affecting the region and by contributing to structural transformations in the way in which migration is approached, addressed and discussed in the Middle East and North Africa.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)1 supports States in realizing their national priorities and in fulfilling their international commitments in the area of migration, displacement and mobility. Commitments and priorities derive, in particular, from international law, the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the 2016 New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants and the emerging Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.
In its 2017‒2020 Strategy for MENA, IOM follows the principles and objectives of the Migration Governance Framework, which was endorsed by IOM Member States in 2015.3 The present document also outlines subregional priorities for North Africa, the Mashreq and the Gulf countries. Lastly, the strategy specifies crosscutting issues and institutional principles that IOM adheres to throughout its work to maximize organizational effectiveness.
The strategy highlights key objectives to guide IOM’s operations, strategic positioning and policy and advocacy work, reflecting the context, challenges and opportunities in the region. While not a summary of the full breadth of IOM programming in the region, the objectives represent priority areas for action to improve the conditions and impacts of migration for individuals and societies, address acute and structural challenges in migration governance, and contribute to meeting international commitments and standards.
IOM will implement this strategy as part of the United Nations system at national, regional and global levels and in collaboration with regional institutions and relevant regional and interregional policy processes.