Mashhad — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Iran organized a three-day workshop on migration management and border governance for around 80 senior managers from 31 provinces from 9 to 11 May 2023 in Mashhad to enable them to better manage the migration flows and discuss how they can move on different innovative approaches and new tools such as the Data Tracking Matrix (DTM) with support of IOM. This workshop marks the first time that such an event has been organized in the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

Facilitated by IOM experts from Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Headquarters, participants had the opportunity to address cross-cutting topics in the field of migration management and border governance, foster the coordination between involved entities and develop contextualized needs based on each province’s migration context and challenges. 

“The government of Iran has the expertise and knowledge of their own needs on the ground and we as IOM ought to hear from stakeholders to be in better synergies with the needs in the field of migration and border management,” said Lalini Veerassamy, IOM Chief of Mission in Iran.  

During the workshop, participants from Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare, The Border Guard Command and Iranian Immigration & Passport Police Office exchanged views and shared their experience and good practices on policy planning around migration management and border governance. Moving forward participants will need to work together to develop concrete proposals and specific roadmaps to pave the way for IOM’s increasing support in Iran. 

Held in the presence of Ms. Lalini Veerassamy, IOM Chief of Mission, Mr. Stefan Priesner the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Asghar Boloukian, Director General of the Iranian Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants’ Affairs (BAFIA) and Mr. Bahman Amiri Moghadam, Director General of Border Affairs and Border Residents, IOM gathered high level officials from Iranian policymaking entities as part of its ongoing support to the government of Iran in strengthening its capacity in the field of migration management. 

Mr. Stefan Priesner, the UN Resident Coordinator said, "Challenges of migration and border management are constantly evolving. Hence it is essential for national authorities and the UN to constantly exchange information, insights and best practices to address these challenges in a coherent and coordinated manner. This workshop is an excellent opportunity to strengthen collaboration to support migrants, refugees and the communities hosting them in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-27." 

“Relying on IOM capacity and its Chief of Mission, we need to collect our efforts and develop a roadmap for future joint activities in the field of migration and border governance,” said Mr. Asghar Boloukian, Director General of BAFIA. 

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For media enquiries, please contact Nima Karimi at IOM Iran Tel: +989125208662 Email: nimkarimi@iom.int