IOM voices need for global solidarity on International Migrants Day

KABUL (Pajhwok): The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Thursday voiced the need for global solidarity on the international migrants day, saying when migration is managed with dignity and purpose, it benefits everyone.

In a statement, IOM said it was reaffirming migration as a story of opportunity, human progress, and shared development and called for stronger, more robust migration systems that protected people on the move and supported the communities that welcome them.

Observed each year on 18 December, IMD recognizes the contributions of migrants worldwide and underscores the importance of protecting their rights and dignity.

In 2025, the Day is marked under the theme “My Great Story: Cultures and Development,” highlighting how human mobility enriches societies, drives economic growth, and strengthens connections across communities.

“Migration is woven into the lives of families and communities everywhere. It is a story of courage, determination, and the ties that bind us across borders,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “Today, we honor the people who set out in search of safety and opportunity and call for global solidarity in shaping fair and inclusive systems that protect them”.

Every migrant carries a personal story of hope, courage, and the desire for a better life. When systems protect people along their journey, those stories can unfold safely.

Today, an estimated 304 million people, or nearly four per cent of the global population, live outside their country of birth. This number has grown steadily as people move for work, safety, education, and family.

Migrants contribute in many ways to the communities where they live and work, bringing skills, creativity, and entrepreneurship that strengthen local economies. Labourmigrants support essential sectors including healthcare, construction, agriculture, and technology, providing vital assistance in countries with aging populations.  

Their earnings also sustain families back home. In 2024, migrants sent an estimated USD 905 billion in international remittances, most of which went to middle and low-income countries. These transfers help households cover food, education, and medical care and in many cases exceed the value of foreign aid and investment flows.

Beyond these financial contributions, migrants also enrich the social and cultural fabric of communities. They carry new ideas, foster cultural exchange, build business networks, and spark innovation, benefiting both their countries of origin and the places where they settle.

Yet migration is shaped by growing challenges. By the end of 2024, 83.4 million people were internally displaced due to conflict, violence, and disasters, while new emergencies continued to push communities beyond their coping capacity.

While most migration takes place safely and regularly, many people still face serious risks when crossing borders, particularly where regular pathways are limited. People who must flee suddenly often have few options and may turn to irregular routes. These journeys can involve dangerous sea and desert crossings, exploitation, and limited access to assistance and protection. The Mediterranean Sea remains one of the deadliest migration routes, with more than 33,000 recorded deaths since 2014.  

Every migrant’s journey is different, but the need for safety and dignity is universal. By strengthening systems that support people at every stage of mobility, countries can unlock the developmental dividends of migration and uphold the rights and well-being of every person on the move.

As migration continues to shape our world, IOM’s 2026 Global Appeal seeks to support 41 million people on the move and strengthen the systems that make migration safe, orderly, and regular.  

To mark IMD, IOM invites people everywhere to join DG Pope in taking part by sharing their own migration stories using the hashtag #MyGreatStory. Individuals, communities, and business leaders are encouraged to reflect on how migration has shaped their lives, cultures, and contributions, and to join a global conversation on the role of human mobility in driving development and economic growth.

pr/ma