The International Organization for Migration (IOM)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. Its mission is to:

  • assist in meeting the growing operational challenges of migration management and reducing irregular migration, in part by encouraging international cooperation;
  • advance our understanding of migration issues;
  • encourage social and economic development through migration;
  • uphold the human dignity of migrants, providing them with humanitarian support.

The IOM was founded in 1951 and is now the leading intergovernmental organisation for migration issues. Its headquarters are in Geneva. It currently has 174 Member States, including Switzerland. In 2016 the IOM become integrated into the UN system as a related organisation.

The IOM acts as a privileged intermediary for Switzerland in all issues regarding migration management and as a platform for information exchange between Member States. Switzerland also supports projects implemented by the IOM in migrants’ countries of origin. As the Swiss representative of the International Organization for Migration, IOM Bern is the contact and coordination office in Switzerland for national and international questions related to migration. IOM Bern is active in the areas of voluntary return and reintegration, combating human trafficking, migration research, and resettlement and relocation.

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Last modification 01.08.2021

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