United Kingdom - IOM will participate in a round table organized by the African Foundation for Development (AFFORD) in London, on 10 December on the outcomes of and follow up to the UN General Assembly High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development which took place on 3-4 October at the UN in New York.

The round table will focus on the Declaration adopted by the General Assembly, the Secretary General’s Eight-point Agenda for Action, and the 8 point 5 year plan put forward jointly by Civil Society, discussing whether the emphasis on the issues is right, if there are any missing and what should happen with their implementation.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to participate in this discussion and speak about IOM’s strategy and action plan for the coming years,” said Jill Helke, IOM Director of International Cooperation and Partnerships, who will participate in the round table. “Migration is an issue that offers many opportunities but also poses significant challenges for societies and governments. It is more urgent than ever to ensure deeper understanding of the realities, and discuss policies and priorities to maximize the benefits of migration and mitigate its ill effects.”

The round table is part of a series of briefings AFFORD is launching reflecting on the outcome of the high Level Dialogue on Migration and Development, ahead of the Global Forum on Migration and Development to be held in May 2014 in Stockholm and deliberations around the Post 2015 Development agenda.

The meeting will be chaired by Baroness Young of Hornsey, EU Sub Committee C External Affairs and will be held at Millbank House, House of Lords.  Other participants are the Rt. Hon. Lord Chidgey, Co-Chair Lib-Dem Parliamentary Party Committee on International Affairs, and representatives from DFID, academics, civil society and other experts on migration and development.

For more information, please contact

Clarissa Azkoul
IOM UK Chief of Mission
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7811 6006
Email: cazkoul@iom.int