Geneva, May 15, 2023 – In a historic move, the Member States of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Migration Agency, have elected Ms. Amy E. Pope as the organization’s next Director General. The election took place during the 6th Special Session of the IOM Council held on Monday.
Ms. Pope, who currently serves as IOM’s Deputy Director General for Management and Reform, will assume the role of Director General on October 1, 2023, for a five-year term. Nominated by the United States of America, she becomes the first woman to lead the IOM in its 72-year history.
Having joined IOM in September 2021, Ms. Pope has already made significant contributions to the organization’s operations. During her tenure as Deputy Director General, she implemented vital budgetary, management, and administrative reforms, optimizing IOM’s field delivery and risk management capabilities. Her efforts also resulted in improved internal justice outcomes and operational results, while strengthening coordination with the United Nations system.
Ms. Pope brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Prior to her appointment at IOM, she served as the Senior Advisor on Migration to President Biden in 2021. She held important positions in the United States government, including Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor from 2015 to 2017, and Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director on Transborder Security from 2013 to 2015. Her work at the White House involved developing and implementing comprehensive strategies to address migration surges, combat trafficking in persons, respond to health crises such as Zika and Ebola outbreaks, and prepare communities for climate-related challenges.
IOM Election Day is here! Thank you to all who joined me on this extraordinary journey over the last 7 months. Hearing perspectives from around the world has been a profound learning experience. It's time we come together to deliver on the promise of migration. #AmyPope4DG pic.twitter.com/QbbUybkclp
— Amy Pope (@AmyEPope) May 15, 2023Recognized for her expertise in organizational change management, risk mitigation, and fostering collaboration, Ms. Pope has successfully guided government entities and private sector organizations through transformative processes. She is also renowned for building empowered and diverse teams to effect positive change. Furthermore, Ms. Pope has been actively engaged in promoting dialogue on global migration challenges through her academic writing and work with esteemed organizations like Chatham House. Her extensive experience includes positions at the US Department of Justice, US Senate, and as a Partner in the London-based law firm Schillings.
Ms. Pope’s appointment as Director General signifies a significant milestone for the IOM and demonstrates the organization’s commitment to gender equality and diversity in leadership positions. Her remarkable track record in developing policies on migration, refugee resettlement, and countering violent extremism, combined with her strategic acumen and collaborative approach, positions her as an exceptional leader for IOM in its pursuit of humane and orderly migration.
The International Organization for Migration, established in 1951, is the premier intergovernmental organization dedicated to migration. As a related organization of the United Nations, IOM works closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners to promote the belief that well-managed migration benefits both migrants and societies.
With Ms. Pope’s election as Director General, the IOM looks forward to a new era of leadership, committed to advancing its mission and addressing the complex challenges posed by global migration.
, the United Nations Migration Agency, have elected Ms. Amy E. Pope as the organization's next Director General.){kind=link}