Ethiopia, IOM Signed Cooperation Agreement

State minister for Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dewano Kedir, met with Ambassador William Lacy Swing, Director General for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Thursday January 29. Ato Dewano expressed his appreciation of the support provided by the IOM since it first came to Ethiopia in 1996.

The State Minister said the IOM had been providing support for migration management and in any crisis related to migrants. He stressed that illegal migration was a global problem which required a comprehensive and collaborative international effort in response.

He pointed out the Ethiopian government has been working to tackle illegal migration by providing training and education at grass-roots level as well as formulating strategies and policies to discourage and human trafficking and signing binding labor g agreements with different countries on the rights of workers. Ambassador Swing welcomed Ethiopia's open door policies and its efforts to curb illegal migration through awareness raising and relevant policies.

He noted that one of largest programs in Africa was now operating in Ethiopia and said the IOM would continue its support for the country's efforts. Ethiopia. The Director General suggested developing countries like Ethiopia could mobilize and use their Diaspora as a source of finance for domestic development programs. Following their talks, the State Minister and the IOM Director General signed a cooperation agreement to promote economic and social development through effective migration management and capacity building.

Read more: allafrica.com