Online Reporter
Farirai Machivenyika and
Blessings Chidakwa
VISITING International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Director General Ms Amy Pope has expressed her organisation’s commitment to collaborate with the Government to ensure that migration positively impacts the country’s development.
Ms Pope, who arrived in Harare yesterday and was welcomed at Robert Mugabe International Airport by the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, July Moyo, said the IOM aims to enhance development and job opportunities for people in the SADC region.
Later, Ms Pope paid a courtesy call to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira at his Munhumutapa Offices, where they discussed migration-related issues.
“This is my first visit as the director general of IOM, and I am here today because of our long history of working with the Government. The relationship dates back nearly 40 years and covers a wide range of issues. While I am here for the next couple of days, the focus is really on how we can work more closely with the Government to address a number of issues affecting people on the move,” she said.
Ms Pope highlighted the importance of using migration as a tool for development, whether by engaging with the diaspora or advancing the Government’s national migration strategy, particularly as SADC promotes the free movement of people.
She also pointed out the challenges that lead to migration, such as the impact of climate change.
“We want to work with communities so that they can move by choice, with dignity, and not be forced due to the impacts of climate”.
The IOM assists migrants returning home after working abroad, helping them reintegrate and find opportunities.
Professor Murwira congratulated Ms Pope on her appointment and reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to collaborating with IOM.
“Our relationship with IOM dates back a very long way, 40 years. We believe that we can drive this relationship positively, viewing migration as a resource when approached in an orderly and peaceful manner for development. Migration should cause development, and together with IOM, we can reorient perceptions about migration, which is often viewed negatively,” he said.
Earlier at the airport, Ms Pope said her visit would focus on advancing labour mobility as a means to improve development and job opportunities across the region.
“We see the static and free-to-vote protocol on the movement of people and the government’s intention to ratify that protocol. We want to ensure that it benefits all people in Zimbabwe,” she said.
“The impacts of climate change are displacing communities who may not have the resilience to cope. That’s an important part of our work.”
