By Saio Marrah
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Switzerland and Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations, Dr Lansana Gberie, has been elected First Vice Chairman of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
His unanimous election was done at the IOM’s 112th Council meeting held in Geneva on the 29th November, 2021.
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Recently, Ambassador Gberie’s Presidency of the Arm Trade Treaty ended with major achievements. Praises for Sierra Leone dominated the closing day of the 112th Session of the IOM Council.
Ambassador Gberie, congratulated members of the Bureau on their election to lead the 112th Session of the IOM Council .He also thanked the outgoing Chairperson H.E. Mr. Evan P. GARCIA, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Philippines.
The Ambassador applauded Garcia for “his leadership of the 111th IOM Council as well as for his brilliant and outstanding stewardship during the past very challenging year.”
The IOM recently underwent an internal reform process of its senior leadership structure with the selection of two Deputy Director Generals (DDG), Ugochi Daniels and Amy Pope on their appointment as DDG in charge of operations and DDG in charge of management and reform, respectively. Ambassador Gberie described the two as “very highly accomplished and capable women.”
He also thanked António Vitorino, the Director-Genera of IOM, for his vision and steady leadership, and to his team for their dedication and commitment.
He noted that ‘’Sierra Leone would like to commend the IOM on its response to the Covid 19 pandemic, ensuring that migrants are not left behind in COVID-19 relief plans,” he said.
He added: “We would also like to extend our gratitude to the Director-General and his staff for working tirelessly to ensure that the organization remains effective, operational and fit for purpose during these challenging times”.
Ambassador Gberie, after highlighting the numerous gains made by IOM over the years, raised alarming concern over migrants subjected to discrimination, xenophobia, abuse and exploitation. He therefore called for Global cooperation on migration now more than ever.
He noted that Sierra Leone emphasizes the need for constructive engagement in inter-governmental negotiations on the adoption of a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration. Effective implementation and follow-up of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) continues to remain crucial in making migration work for all.
He said in that context, Sierra Leone welcome the initiative launched by the United Nations Network on Migration to support national migration priorities towards meeting GCM.
Gberie added: “I am happy to recall that in Sierra Leone, the National UN Network on Migration was launched on 1st June 2021, and the government has been working with the network to integrate migration into the Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), in alignment with and as part of the implementation of these two frameworks’’.
He said his government believes that migration and development should be addressed comprehensively. He added that Agenda 2030 cannot be achieved without due consideration of migrants and mobility. He added that a cross-cutting issue, migration is relevant to all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
The IOM is also celebrating its 70th year of existence. It has helped millions of migrants and displaced people by supporting countries create the conditions for safe, orderly, and regular migration.
Copyright © Politico Online 03/12/21
