By Politico staff writer
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has elected the Sierra Leone Ambassador to Geneva, Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Office, Dr. Lansana Gberie as the new Chairperson of its Bureau.
He was elected at the Council’s 113th Session on the 29th November, 2022.
He was nominated by three regions (Africa, Europe and Asia). The Nigerian Ambassador to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland, Abiodun Richards Adejola was the first to nominate Dr. Gberie, followed by the United Kingdom’s Envoy Simon Manley. The Chinese Ambassador to the UN Office in Geneva Chen Xu also followed suit.
Sierra Leone was said to be among dozens of Member States recognized by the global community with a golden star in Geneva this year.
In his short statement, Dr. Gberie congratulated and thanked members of the bureau on their election to lead the 113th Session of the IOM Council. He also thanked the outgoing Chairperson Francisca Elizabeth Mèndez Escobar who is the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Mexico, for her leadership of the 112th IOM Governing Bureau as well as for her brilliant stewardship during the past year.
He further thanked the Director-Genera of IOM, António Vitorino for his steady leadership and commitment to IOM’s drive in helping thousands of migrants and displaced people by supporting countries to create the conditions for safe, orderly, and regular migration for over seven decades.
‘’As the new Chairperson of the governing bureau, Sierra Leone would remain effective, operational and fit for purpose during his tenure,’’ he concluded.
In his statement, the Director-General of IOM, António Vitorino congratulated and wished Ambassador Gberie a productive chairmanship. He noted that the Sierra Leonean Envoy brings to the organization a wealth of experience in the field of journalism, diplomacy, peace, security among others.
He further said he expects him to promulgate IOM’s Continental Strategy for Africa 2020-2024 and its effective implementation, noting that it has been a mark of true leadership and vision.
Vitorino also spoke about expected renewed and strengthened cooperation with the African Union and A.U. Member States on migration issues during Dr. Gberie’s stewardship.
He has before been elected President of the Arms Trade Treaty, Chairman of the World Trade Organization’s TRIPS Council, and First Vice Chairman of IOM’s governing bureau.
In Sierra Leone, the National UN Network on Migration was launched on 1 June 2021, and the government under President Julius Maada Bio 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.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) meets in regular session once a year and in special sessions at the request of one-third of its members, the Director General or the Chairman of the Council in urgent circumstances.
The council usually elects representatives of member states at the beginning of each regular session that includes a Chairperson, a First Vice-Chairperson, a Second Vice-Chairperson and a Rapporteur. The officers are elected for a one-year term and are eligible for re-election.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online
