New Agreement to Help Protect Migrant Rights is Reached

Ten years after reaching a cooperation agreement, IOM and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, have endorsed an updated agreement to address current global challenges on migration issues. The agreement particularly focuses on promoting the human rights of migrants and on combating sexual violence, with special emphasis on migrant girls and women. The agreement supports the development of policies and regulations and promoting increased international dialogue. This would help maximize the development potential of international migration. It also enables the two organizations to carry out joint research and data collection on migration which will allow for the development of policies focusing on gender and youth issues, undocumented and irregular migrants, and victims of trafficking, as well as on reproductive health issues. “We know that migrants contribute enormously to socio-economic development worldwide. By ensuring their human rights are protected, we also ensure that the full potential of migration is realized”, added IOM Director-General Brunson McKinley.