The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and IOM have signed
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen their cooperation in
jointly enhancing human settlements and migration policies.

The MoU was signed by the IOM Director General William Lacy
Swing and UN-HABITAT Executive Director Dr. Joan Clos.

It seeks to deepen mutual cooperation between the two agencies
on developing and enhancing policy, operational coherence and
planning on issues relating to migration and human settlements at
the national and international level.

The agreement allows the two organizations to develop joint
research and further exchange information on the links between
rural-urban migration and IOM's expertise in migration
management.

"The signing of this important MoU with UN-HABITAT is an
indication that we recognize the challenges associated with human
mobility and its effects on human settlement across the world. I
believe in a strong, practical and proactive partnership that is
able to respond to challenges more positively and in a timely
manner," said IOM Director General Swing.

The cooperation agreement further seeks to build the capacity of
governments and other relevant stakeholders to respond effectively
to the challenges and opportunities presented by the link between
migration and human settlements.

This includes the expansion of slums and other informal
settlements as a result of migrants moving into cities, the
vulnerability and lack of representation of such migrants, and the
social and cultural diversity brought into cities by migrants.

Areas of future cooperation will include joint programmes in
areas of common interest, including promoting the positive
contribution of migration to sustainable development, supporting
the adaptation of human settlements and encouraging social and
economic development through migration.

For more information please contact:

Jean-Philippe Chauzy

IOM HQ

Tel: +41 79 285 43 66

E-mail: "mailto:jpchauzy@iom.int">jpchauzy@iom.int