The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched its global five-year strategic plan aimed at delivering on the promise of safe and regular migration while supporting the world's most vulnerable, according to a January 11 press release by the UN Organization.

The plan – which will guide IOM's activities through till 2028 – was developed after extensive internal consultations, including with migrants themselves, dialogue with Member States, partners and other United Nations agencies.

Plan aims to 'save lives and protect people on the move'

Speaking at the launch of the plan on January 10 in Chad's capital of N'Djamena, IOM Director General Amy Pope said "The evidence is overwhelming that migration benefits communities around the globe, yet climate change, conflict and growing inequality are making the migration landscape more complex and challenging.

"This plan is designed to meet those challenges so migration can be a full and powerful force for development, prosperity and progress," she said.

The strategic plan sets out three overarching goals. The first is saving lives and protecting people on the move, a core function of IOM's broad and global humanitarian work, while the second is finding solutions to displacement, with IOM combining its data to address crises before they worsen.

Then third is facilitating pathways for regular migration, which will help enable migration to become safer and dismantle incentives for smuggling, trafficking and exploitation.

Climate change top driver of migration

The new plan also emphasizes reducing the risks and impacts of climate change – now a top driver of migration.

"It also aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, since migration is integral to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," IOM's press release stated.

Chad is facing many of the complex migration trends IOM is attempting to address. Conflict in neighbouring Sudan has displaced more than 7 million people, many of whom have fled to Chad.

"There is not a corner of the globe that is not touched by, or is in some way invested in, the issue of migration," IOM's Pope said. "This new Strategic Plan enables IOM to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow while enabling us to continue to do what we do best: help people in need."