Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti met with International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director-General Amy Pope on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting focused on cooperation between Tunisia and the IOM, particularly the results achieved through the voluntary return and reintegration mechanism. This mechanism has enabled 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 voluntary return and reintegration mechanism has been instrumental in facilitating the safe and dignified return of irregular migrants to their countries of origin. The program also provides support for reintegration, ensuring that returnees can rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities. Minister Nafti and Director-General Pope commended the efforts of the IOM in this area and emphasized the importance of continued coordination to accelerate the pace of voluntary returns and ensure sustainable reintegration.
During the meeting, Minister Nafti reiterated Tunisia's commitment to addressing migration issues in a comprehensive and humane manner. He stressed the need for a shared responsibility approach to migration, respecting the sovereignty of states, human dignity, and human rights. The Minister also highlighted the importance of tackling the root causes of irregular migration and promoting legal migration channels, in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan.
Director-General Pope praised the level of cooperation between the IOM and Tunisia, emphasizing the importance of development programs and combating human trafficking. She also highlighted several IOM programs aimed at supporting foreign nationals residing abroad, enabling them to contribute to development efforts in their countries of origin.
The meeting between Minister Nafti and Director-General Pope reflects the strong partnership between Tunisia and the IOM. The two officials discussed ways to strengthen cooperation and address the challenges of migration, which remains a pressing issue in the region. Tunisia has been a key player in promoting a comprehensive approach to migration, balancing the need to combat irregular migration with the need to promote legal migration channels.
The IOM has been working closely with Tunisia to support the country's efforts to manage migration flows and promote sustainable development. The organization's programs in Tunisia focus on providing assistance to migrants, promoting voluntary return and reintegration, and supporting the development of migration policies.
The discussion between Minister Nafti and Director-General Pope also touched on the importance of addressing the root causes of migration, including poverty, unemployment, and conflict. The two officials emphasized the need for a coordinated international response to migration, involving governments, international organizations, and civil society.
Key points
- Tunisia and the IOM have cooperated on a voluntary return and reintegration mechanism, facilitating the safe return of 25,351 irregular migrants since its inception.
- The program provides support for reintegration, ensuring that returnees can rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.
- Minister Nafti and Director-General Pope emphasized the importance of continued coordination to accelerate the pace of voluntary returns and ensure sustainable reintegration.
