IOM Champions Well-Managed Migration as Global Solution at World Economic Forum

Davos, 20 January 2025 –International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director General Amy Pope will lead an IOM delegation to this year’s Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) with an agenda that focuses on highlighting the benefits migration brings the world. IOM will host a roundtable discussion in Davos about migration’s potential, and DG Pope will hold high-level discussions with a wide cross-section of leaders about collective action to meet the challenges of migration.
 
“Migration is a pressing global issue impacting every continent and every facet of society, no matter where people live,” said DG Pope. “At IOM, our partnerships with governments, the private sector, civil society, and other international organizations can help make migration safe, orderly and regular, so it can benefit communities around the globe.” 

Director General Pope will also have bilateral meetings with government officials and private sector executives who are attending the meeting. 
 
The World Economic Forum’s theme for this year’s meeting, “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,” underscores IOM’s emphasis on how collaborative action, data, and technological advances, combined with investments in regular migration pathways, can solve some of the world’s most difficult challenges: the impact of climate change, labour shortages, dangerous irregular migration, and human smuggling and trafficking.  
 
On Thursday, 23 January, IOM will host a roundtable discussion, “Transforming Migration for Economic Growth and Opportunity,” that will promote deeper cooperation and highlight the need for regular migration pathways. The discussion will focus on innovative solutions and scalable initiatives that address labour market needs and enhance migration governance in order to unlock the social and economic benefits of well-managed migration. 
 
Among the transformative initiatives to be featured is the Microsoft and IOM Pathways 360 platform, a comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) solution designed to enable informed decision-making and deliver personalized services for migrants. By leveraging AI, the platform streamlines legal pathways for migration to meet the evolving demands of labour markets and reduce the appeal of irregular migration.   
 
Another notable program is the Coalition for Green Skills Pathways, led by Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), which is a key program that trains refugee populations and local communities in host countries for high-demand green jobs.  

Additionally, contributions from LinkedIn further underscore how skilling efforts can advance regular pathways of migration. 
 
“We’re hugely optimistic about the role of technology in addressing some of the most pressing global issues, including the impact of climate change on migration,” said Kate Behncken, Corporate Vice President and Global Head of Microsoft Philanthropies. 
 
 
For more information, please contact:  
Zoe Brennan, zbrennan@iom.int