The Philippines, as the outgoing Chair of the Global Forum on
Migration and Development (GFMD), and IOM signed on 15 December an
agreement enabling IOM to provide administrative support to the
Third GFMD scheduled to take place in Athens in November 2009.

The GFMD is a states-driven process initiated by the UN
Secretary General in September 2006 to encourage dialogue and
cooperation between countries on migration issues. The first two
forums were chaired by Belgium and the Philippines and took place
in Brussels and Manila in 2007 and 2008 respectively.

Under the agreement, IOM will establish a GFMD support unit to
manage information related to the Forum and funds contributed by
donors. The unit will also provide administrative, financial and
logistical support. IOM will also provide legal advice where needed
and will maintain the GFMD website.

"The unit will help the Global Forum process to grow in line
with the wishes of participating States," said IOM Director General
William Swing, speaking at the signing in Athens. Esteban Conejos
Jr., outgoing Chair-in-Office for the Philippine GFMD, signed on
behalf of the Forum and in the presence of senior Greek officials
including Deputy Minister of the Interior Athanassios Nakos, who
has now assumed the Chair in Office.