IOM and migration sign agreement to build the first policy on human mobility in Guatemala

Guatemala City. The Guatemalan Institute of Migration (IGM) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed a cooperation agreement to build a public policy on human mobility in Guatemala, the first of its kind that will promote an orderly, safe and regular management of migration, encourage socioeconomic development through migration and ensure respect for the human rights of migrants.

Under the leadership of the Guatemalan Migration Institute, a roadmap will be created with coordination activities between both institutions, cooperation in the field and consultations with the country's migration institutions, as established in the Migration Code.

The agreement was signed by the Director General of the IGM, Manuel Estuardo Rodríguez Valladares and by the IOM Chief of Mission for Guatemala and Honduras, Jorge Peraza; also participating were Wuelmer Gómez, Deputy Director of the IGM and Joaquim Torrinha, National Coordinator of the IOM Regional Program on Migration.

"The signing of this agreement is a milestone for Guatemala, as there has never been a public policy that will set the guidelines for migration governance in the country. We are very pleased to be part of this history and to contribute to the promotion of orderly, safe and regular migration," said Jorge Peraza.

"This cooperation framework will guarantee the contents of a policy in accordance with international instruments such as the Global Compact on Migration, adopted by the Guatemalan State, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals, especially target 10.7, which establishes the implementation of planned and well-managed policies," added Peraza.

IOM reaffirms its commitment to strengthening migration institutions in Guatemala and will continue to comprehensively assist any effort that can respond to the needs of migrants, from an inclusive, equitable and multicultural perspective, in accordance with its global experience as the leading United Nations agency expert in human mobility.

The signing of the agreement is supported by IOM under the Western Hemisphere Program, funded by the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration of the U.S. Department of State.  

For more information, please contact Cecilia Tiu, Communications Assistant, Western Hemisphere Program, at ctiu@iom.int.