New York – The UN Migration Agency Director General William Lacy Swing and the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix signed a Memorandum of Understanding this past weekend (23/09).

The agreement provides a framework for enhancing cooperation across areas of strategic importance such as disarmament, demobilization and reintegration; security sector reform; support to civil affairs activities; and protection of civilians.

“IOM works with UN peacekeeping in many operational contexts and on a wide variety of topics. We are excited by the opportunity to formalize our partnership and to expand our joint work in the field,” said Director General Swing.

Under-Secretary-General Lacroix commented that “IOM is an important part of the international community’s efforts to address some of today’s most pressing issues. We look forward to enhanced cooperation as we work together for peace and stability.”

Both IOM and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) believe in the increasing need for agencies and organizations to collaborate on global issues affecting many of the world’s vulnerable populations. Institutional partnerships have to become more efficient and collaborative to maximize limited resources, promote efficiencies and jointly address the full range of today’s massive human security challenges.

For more information, please contact:

IOM: Iain McLellan, New York, Tel: + 1 929 427 6738, Email: imclellan@iom.int

DPKO: Nick Birnback, New York, Tel: + 1 929 301 0761, Email: birnbackn@un.org