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UNITED STATES DELEGATION Statement
Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Colleagues: Let me first congratulate Ambassador March of Spain and the Council Bureau on their election. We also welcome new members Burundi and Vietnam, and IOM’s new Observers. The United States is the country it is today because of immigration; we have benefited from migration as a positive phenomenon. IOM continues to be a strategic partner in assisting my Government to advance our goal of legal, orderly, and humane migration and of protecting and assisting vulnerable populations. In 2007, the United States was privileged to serve as President Pro-Tempore of the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM). The U.S. views regional migration dialogues, such as the RCM, as extremely valuable in fostering effective, humane migration policies. We appreciate the role IOM San Jose plays as the RCM’s secretariat and in working to advance the commitments and goals of its members. The U.S. is particularly pleased that office’s capacity building activities have produced concrete results for RCM members, including combating trafficking in persons. First, it more accurately reflects IOM’s important work and reinforces IOM’s role as the principal intergovernmental organization with a global migration mandate. Second, formation of the Standing Committee on Programs and Finance allows greater Member State engagement in IOM policy and program discussions, which we believe will make it a more effective and responsive governing body. Finally, by providing predictable funding to expand the 1035 Facility, more Member States can take advantage of IOM’s technical expertise in implementing migration management projects. The United States has resolutely supported the 1035 mechanism since its inception. We are pleased it will be more accessible to eligible Members. We all should be proud of these accomplishments. Our work is not done, however. There are still improvements that together we can – must – make to further strengthen and streamline IOM’s governance structure. The completion of the IOM strategy does not reduce the critical need for ratification of IOM’s Constitutional amendments. These amendments are within our collective power to put into force. We urge Member States who have not yet followed through on their national ratification processes to pledge to do so with the same spirit of commitment demonstrated during the strategy debate. IOM faces opportunities and challenges in the years ahead as it addresses the many facets of international migration. There is need for a close review of organizational structures and management span-of-control so that quality, flexibility and responsiveness do not suffer as demand for IOM services grows. Management structures must provide proper support to and supervision of the wide variety of enterprises in which IOM is now engaged. As a highly decentralized organization, close cooperation and coordination between and among headquarters and the IOM’s 355 field offices is essential. Quality control mechanisms must ensure accountability to Members and program beneficiaries. Member States must work with each other and with IOM to ensure that IOM’s central management and administrative control systems are commensurate with the Organization’s responsibilities. Mr. Chairman, In conclusion, the high level of Member State engagement in IOM governance and policy matters is a testament to the value that States place in IOM’s work. We urge continued active Member State participation in IOM; we urge IOM, in turn, to facilitate opportunities for open, transparent and productive dialogue between Members and the Organization. These exchanges are essential to the health of IOM. The United States is committed to our partnership with IOM and other Member States in maintaining an open dialogue so that together we can reap the rewards that migration yields. Thank you.
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