FM urges IOM to support Egypt on hosting large numbers of migrants

CAIRO – 27 January 2025: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Badr Abdelatty began his visit to Geneva by meeting Monday Secretary-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Amy Pope.

 

The minister valued the extended and fruitful cooperation between Egypt and the IOM, and that is aimed at guaranteeing a comprehensive management of migration and reinforcing sustainable development, in alignment with the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

Minister Abdelatty displayed the features of the Egyptian stance on migration, as it adopts a comprehensive approach that takes into account the developmental aspects and root causes behind the phenomenon, and not just the security aspect.  

In a related context, the minister highlighted Egypt's concerns about the deteriorating political and humanitarian conditions in neighboring countries, as well as conflicts, political crises and adverse conditions ensued from climate change, given their impact on the increase of migration and displacement waves, especially to Egypt.

The minister noted that Egypt hosts nine million migrants who fled their countries because of conflicts, and presented the efforts deployed by national institutions to fulfill their needs and provide basic services, and the burden on the treasury and the host community as a consequence, particularly in light of the limited international support on that front.

The Egyptian minister underscored the salience of intensifying international efforts to implement the principle of shared responsibility and duties, urging the IOM to provide the necessary support to Egypt on hosting the current large numbers of migrants. He equally shed light on the measures taken by the Egyptian government to combat illegal migration.  

On another context, the two sides agreed on backing the early recovery in Gaza Strip, empowering Palestinians to remain on their territories. In that respect, the minister underscored Egypt's stance rejecting the displacement of Palestinians, and backing the role of the UNRWA.