07th June 2011, Male'- The scoping mission from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) delegation has concluded its three day visit to the Maldives today.
The delegation was headed by Mr. Federico Soda, Head of Labour and Human Development Division of the Department of Migration Management of IOM based in Geneva, Switzerland accompanied by Ms. Rabab Fatima, Regional Representative of IOM for South Asia based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The IOM delegation met with key Government officials and discussed areas of cooperation in tackling migration related issues in the country. During the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H. E. Mr. Ahmed Naseem, discussions were held about opening an office in Male'. In addition to meeting with the foreign diplomats based in the country, the delegation also met with civil society groups.
IOM works primarily at building capacity of governments, through technical assistance programmes, in the fight against human trafficking and illegal migration. IOM which was established in 1951 now has 132 member states and a further 17 states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries.
Maldives is awaiting admission of its membership to the Organization, which is to be decided later this year.
ENDS.