The Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN and otherInternational Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado, delivered his statement to the IOM’s Council session, atthe presence of the Director General, Antonio Vitorino.
Ambassador Cornado recalled how the humanitarian situation around the world has further deteriorated due to Russia’sunjustified and unprovoked war on Ukraine, which has createdfurther instability on global food security, post pandemic economic recovery, and it exacerbated existing vulnerabilities thatcontribute to pushing people to migrate. He also expressed full support for IOM’s work in addressing migration challenges in countries of origin, transit and destination, as well as in supportinggovernments to manage migration in a safer, orderly, regular and sustainable manner.
Ambassador Cornado reiterated how no Member State alone can manage migration, and how no country should be left alone to deal with its consequences, emphasizing the need for greaterinternational cooperation to ease the burden of this phenomenon. In this regard, he pointed out how Italy has further strengthened itspartnership with IOM, becoming its seventh global donor in 2021, providing funds to programs that address the root causes of migration, for assisted voluntary returns, as well as for reintegration projects. In the context of promoting regular migration flows and on the prevention of irregular movementsacross the central Mediterranean route, Ambassador Cornadoreiterated Italy’s commitment to saving lives at sea and counteringcriminal networks and human traffickers.
Finally, he renewed Italy’s support for the Director General’s work carried out over the past four years and reconfirmed thecommitment to support the Organization in all possible avenues in these challenging times.
