The Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado, delivered his statement to the IOM’s Council session, at the presence of the Director General, Antonio Vitorino.
Ambassador Cornado highlighted the great challenges we are facing today due to the COVID-19 pandemic, calling it “a health emergency that has rapidly turned into a major global crisis with a huge socio-economic impact, especially on the most vulnerable populations”. He recalled that “although the first months of the pandemic marked a significant contraction in migration flows, the reasons why people migrate, including the search for better economic opportunities, education, family reunification or escape from violence and unbearable living conditions, are now even stronger than ever”.
Ambassador Cornado also recalled Italy’s continuous support for the Organization, praising “the remarkable work done by IOM staff in the field and for the leadership shown in providing assistance to governments for a more sustainable management of migration, which has never failed even in the most acute phases of the pandemic”. Furthermore, he reiterated Italy’s commitment to address the root causes of migration in the countries of origin, especially on the African continent, through the allocation of bilateral and multilateral funds, calling for better coordination among partners on the ground and recalling the collaboration between Italy and IOM in the implementation of assisted voluntary return and reintegration programs, particularly from Libya. Finally, Ambassador Cornado stressed the need for greater international cooperation, which can only be achieved by strengthening multilateral institutions and supporting the fundamental role of IOM in the management of global migration, for the benefit of all partners and Member States.
Read the full statement here
