Baghdad: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has announced a forward-looking strategy aimed at addressing displacement and migration challenges in Iraq. The new strategy emphasizes sustainable solutions and safe migration pathways, marking a significant shift from immediate crisis response to long-term, nationally-led initiatives.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Pascal Rentgens, Head of the IOM Mission in Iraq, revealed the IOM Country Strategy for Iraq covering 2025-2029 during a launch event in Baghdad. Rentgens highlighted Iraq’s progress, noting that millions of displaced Iraqis have returned to their original homes and that the government is increasingly proactive in managing displacement and migration. The strategy is built on three pillars: protection and life-saving for displaced persons, support for durable solutions to displacement, and the establishment of safe, orderly, and regular migration pathways.

Rentgens explained that the strategy aligns with Iraq’s National Development Plan, focusing on human capital development, economic diversification, environmental sustainability, and governance improvements. He emphasized the need for a transition in international support, advocating for investment in national institutions and technical capacities to enable Iraq to tackle migration and displacement challenges sustainably.

The success of this strategy, he stated, hinges on expanding partnerships with government entities, civil society, the private sector, and international organizations, as well as involving migrants and local communities in solution design. The IOM initiative aims to create tangible outcomes at both individual and community levels by supporting returnee reintegration, funding enterprises, and promoting safe migration.

The UN official underscored the necessity of long-term commitment, continuous coordination, and flexible international funding for the strategy’s implementation. He reiterated IOM’s dedication to collaborating with the United Nations in transforming migration challenges into opportunities for recovery and sustainable development in Iraq, urging that the strategy be seen as a platform for joint action rather than a mere organizational document.