Omar Zenibra Highlights Morocco’s National and Diplomatic Priorities in Migration
The Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Omar Zenibra, emphasized that the Kingdom’s diplomatic and national efforts in migration are built on three main priorities, centering on the humanitarian and developmental aspects of migration.
In his speech before the Standing Committee on Programs and Finance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Zenibra stated that the first priority is to enhance legal migration pathways, as they represent opportunities to reduce the risks associated with irregular migration, stimulate innovation, and ensure the continuation of financial remittances exceeding $800 billion annually.
He added that Morocco places significant importance on addressing the impacts of climate change on human mobility, noting that Morocco’s pioneering experience in climate adaptation within Africa demonstrates that anticipating migrants’ movements for environmental reasons is both possible and necessary in the context of international solidarity.
Zenibra also stressed the need for an honest discourse on migration, based on objective facts, considering that migration represents 4% of the global Gross Domestic Product and contributes to demographic cohesion in both host countries and countries of origin.
The ambassador affirmed that these priorities stem from Morocco’s conviction regarding the importance of strengthening the IOM as the most effective tool to ensure organized, safe, and productive migration. He called for the preservation of the gains of the Global Compact for Migration, adopted in 2018 in Marrakech, and the adoption of the outcomes of the regional reviews and preparations for the Global Migration Forum in 2026 as reference frameworks to measure progress in this area.
Zenibra noted that 2024 witnessed a record number of over 304 million international migrants, reflecting the necessity of enhancing multilateral cooperation in managing this phenomenon and transforming it into a driver for joint development.
For her part, the Director General of the IOM, Amy Pope, expressed her great appreciation for Morocco’s leading role in migration issues, praising its contribution to the ongoing preparations for the 2026 Global Forum and its practical commitment to addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
This discussion takes place during a new session of the Standing Committee on Programs and Finance of the IOM, which serves as a central venue for discussing policies, programs, and reforms related to resource allocation and enhancing coordination within the UN system.
