On the sidelines of his participation in the high-level segment of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti met with International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director-General Amy Pope. The meeting focused on existing cooperation between Tunisia and the IOM, particularly the voluntary return and reintegration mechanism.
According to a statement released by the Tunisian Foreign Ministry, the meeting reviewed the results of the voluntary return and reintegration mechanism, which has enabled the voluntary return of 5,077 irregular migrants since January 2026. This brings the total number of beneficiaries of this mechanism to 25,351 irregular migrants since its inception.
The two parties also discussed the efforts of the IOM in this field and emphasized the importance of continued coordination to accelerate the pace of voluntary returns and ensure sustainable reintegration of beneficiaries in their countries of origin. Tunisia reiterated its commitment to a comprehensive approach to migration issues, based on shared responsibility and respect for national sovereignty, human dignity, and human rights.
During the meeting, Minister Nafti reaffirmed Tunisia's firm stance against being a land of transit or settlement, and called for a more effective approach to addressing the root causes of irregular migration. He stressed the need for intensified international efforts to tackle these causes and develop solutions that balance the fight against irregular migration with the promotion of legal migration channels.
IOM Director-General Amy Pope praised the level of cooperation between the organization and Tunisia, highlighting the importance of development programs and the fight against human trafficking networks. She also reviewed several programs led by the IOM, aimed at benefiting foreign skills residing abroad and contributing to development efforts in their countries of origin.
The meeting also touched on the need for a coordinated approach to address migration issues, with a focus on sustainable development and respect for human rights. Tunisia and the IOM agreed on the importance of continued collaboration to address the challenges posed by migration and to promote effective solutions.
The discussions between Minister Nafti and Director-General Pope reflect the ongoing efforts of Tunisia and the IOM to address migration issues in a comprehensive and sustainable manner. The two parties emphasized their commitment to working together to promote development, stability, and security in the region.
Key points
- Tunisia and the IOM have cooperated on the voluntary return and reintegration of 25,351 irregular migrants since the inception of the mechanism.
- Minister Nafti reaffirmed Tunisia's commitment to a comprehensive approach to migration issues, based on shared responsibility and respect for national sovereignty and human rights.
- The IOM and Tunisia will continue to work together to address the root causes of irregular migration and promote sustainable development.
