By HeapNews
TUNIS, May 5 — The Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope, arrived in Tunisia today for a series of high-level meetings with government officials and key stakeholders, aimed at strengthening collaboration on migration governance and diaspora engagement.
Invited by Tunisia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, Mohamed Ali Nafti, DG Pope’s visit highlights Tunisia’s growing role in regional and global migration dynamics.
“As a country with more than 15 per cent of its population living abroad, Tunisia stands at the heart of global migration conversations,” Pope said in a statement. “Our goal is to work hand-in-hand with the government and our partners to create safer, more dignified migration pathways that benefit both migrants and the communities they move between.”
Pope is also expected to attend a thematic workshop on diaspora engagement scheduled for May 6 under the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD). The event will focus on attracting investment, boosting youth opportunity, and retaining skilled talent.
“Remittances from Tunisians abroad contribute more than five per cent to the national GDP,” said Minister Nafti. “Their impact on sectors such as services, industry, and agriculture cannot be overstated.”
In 2024 alone, the IOM supported nearly 20,000 people in Tunisia through services ranging from healthcare and migrant protection to voluntary return and reintegration programs. These efforts are part of a broader push to manage migration more effectively while tackling trafficking and migrant abuse.
“Tunisia is a vital partner in the global effort to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration,” Pope added. “It is essential for donors and policymakers to support both migrants and the host communities, while ensuring that those who return do so with dignity and hope for the future.”