Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti met with International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director-General Amy Pope on September 22, 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting focused on existing cooperation between Tunisia and the IOM, particularly the voluntary return and reintegration mechanism. This mechanism has facilitated the voluntary return of 5,077 irregular migrants since January 1, 2026, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 25,351 since its inception.
The discussions also highlighted the efforts of the IOM in this area, with a focus on accelerating the pace of voluntary returns and ensuring sustainable reintegration of beneficiaries in their countries of origin. The Tunisian Foreign Minister reiterated his country's firm stance against being a land of transit or settlement, advocating for a comprehensive approach to migration issues based on shared responsibility, respect for state sovereignty, human dignity, and human rights.
Minister Nafti emphasized the need for intensified international efforts to address the root causes of irregular migration and develop more effective solutions to balance the fight against irregular migration with the promotion of legal migration channels, in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan. This approach aims to support national and regional security and stability. The IOM Director-General acknowledged the level of cooperation between the organization and Tunisia.
Amy Pope highlighted the importance of development programs and the dismantling of human trafficking networks to address the root causes of migration. The two officials also reviewed several programs led by the IOM, targeting foreign competencies residing abroad to contribute to development efforts in their countries of origin. These programs aim to support the socio-economic development of countries of origin.
Tunisia has been actively engaged with the IOM to address migration issues, particularly irregular migration. The country's strategy focuses on voluntary returns, reintegration, and combating human trafficking. The IOM has been working closely with Tunisian authorities to implement these programs and provide support to migrants.
The meeting between Minister Nafti and Director-General Pope reflects the ongoing cooperation between Tunisia and the IOM to address migration challenges. The two officials emphasized the need for continued collaboration to address the complexities of migration and promote sustainable development.
Key aspects of their discussion included the importance of addressing the root causes of migration, promoting legal migration channels, and ensuring sustainable reintegration of migrants in their countries of origin. The IOM and Tunisia will likely continue to work together to develop effective solutions to migration challenges.
Key points
- Tunisia reaffirms its stance against irregular migration and advocates for a comprehensive approach to migration issues.
- The country has facilitated the voluntary return of 5,077 irregular migrants since January 1, 2026.
- The IOM and Tunisia will continue to cooperate on migration issues, focusing on development, reintegration, and combating human trafficking.
