On September 23, 2026, in New York, Tunisia's Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti held a meeting with the Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the high-level session of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. According to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two parties discussed cooperation relations between Tunisia and the IOM.
The meeting focused on reviewing the results of the voluntary return and reintegration mechanism, which has facilitated the voluntary return of 5,077 irregular migrants since January 1, 2026. This brings the total number of irregular migrants who have benefited from this mechanism since its inception to 25,351. Both parties emphasized the importance of continued coordination to accelerate voluntary return operations and ensure sustainable reintegration of beneficiaries in their countries of origin.
Minister Nafti reaffirmed Tunisia's stance that its territory should not be used as a land for settlement or transit. He called for a comprehensive approach to migration issues, based on shared responsibility, respect for state sovereignty, human dignity, human rights, and the fight against human trafficking networks. Nafti also advocated for international action to address the root causes of irregular migration.
IOM Director-General Amy Pope expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation between the IOM and Tunisia. She highlighted the importance of development programs and dismantling human trafficking networks to tackle the root causes of irregular migration. The two parties also reviewed several programs implemented by the IOM to enable diaspora competencies to contribute to development efforts in their countries of origin.
The voluntary return mechanism is part of the cooperation between Tunisia and the IOM to address migration issues. Since its establishment, the mechanism has helped thousands of irregular migrants return to their countries of origin. Tunisia has emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to migration, taking into account the root causes of irregular migration and the need for sustainable reintegration.
The meeting between Minister Nafti and Director-General Pope also touched on the importance of development programs in addressing migration issues. The IOM has implemented several programs aimed at enabling diaspora competencies to contribute to development efforts in their countries of origin. These programs aim to promote sustainable development and reduce the push factors driving irregular migration.
The cooperation between Tunisia and the IOM is expected to continue, with a focus on addressing the root causes of irregular migration and promoting sustainable development. The two parties have emphasized the need for continued coordination and cooperation to ensure the success of voluntary return and reintegration programs.
Key points
- Tunisia and IOM review results of voluntary return mechanism, which has facilitated the return of 25,351 irregular migrants since its inception.
- Minister Nafti calls for comprehensive approach to migration issues, based on shared responsibility and respect for human rights.
- IOM Director-General Pope highlights importance of development programs and dismantling human trafficking networks to tackle root causes of irregular migration.
