The International Organization for Migration (IOM – UN Migration) has concluded a two-day consultation process with key national and regional stakeholders, where it presented for the first time, a draft strategy to guide the work of the organization in the Dutch and English-speaking Caribbean between (2023-26).   The draft IOM Caribbean Strategy (2023-26) was presented during five thematic sessions covering Disaster Risk Management and Disaster Related Human Mobility; Migration and Resilience to Climate Change; Resilience to Socio-economic Drivers of Migration; Protection of People on the Move and Border Governance; and Labour Migration and Human Development.

Regional Director for IOM Central America, North America and Caribbean, Michele Klein-Solomon noted that the Caribbean is a region that has been shaped by a history of migration, including forced migration, and a large Diaspora community.  

“The Caribbean is at the forefront of collective engagements to fight the dire consequences of climate change.   It is also a vibrant region with many opportunities for sustainable development that can be supported by well-managed migration, including through regional integration, in the CARICOM and OECS areas.”  

More than 170 participants attended the two half-day webinars, including donors, government stakeholders, UN, non-governmental and civil society organizations and academia.  IOM Regional Thematic Specialists and Heads of Offices of Caribbean country offices presented the context and proposed strategic responses during each of the thematic sessions, which were followed by rich question and answer segments as well as information sharing among participants.   

IOM Caribbean Coordinator, Patrice Quesada indicated his satisfaction with the two-day consultation:  

“We were truly grateful to the large number of stakeholders who took the time to spend two half-days to discuss migration-related issues.  The consultations provided an opportunity to hear the priorities of participating states and organizations and receive their feedback on IOM’s proposed strategies and share resources including data and research reports between organizations and with all participants.” 

He explained that the IOM team would use the results from this consultation to finalize the strategy based on feedback received and launch the strategy to key audiences in the region later in the year.

IOM Caribbean Coordination Office looks forward to deepening the networks established over these two days to work in collaboration with all relevant partners in improving the governance of migration and fostering its contribution to sustainable development in the Caribbean.