Al-Behira, 14 June 2017 – The UN Migration Agency in Egypt held a bilateral meeting with the Governor of Al Beheira, Ms. Nadia Abdou on 14 June 2017 to introduce IOM mission in Egypt and discuss future cooperation.

The meeting focused on how IOM Egypt can support the Governor in addressing irregular migration and trafficking in persons in Al Beheira Governorate, given that its central location with many exit points.

During the meeting, Mr. Amr Taha, IOM Egypt’s Head of Office, emphasized the importance of raising the awareness of youth on irregular migration and providing employment opportunities to accommodate the demographic changes in Egypt. Unemployment rates have been increasing in recent years with approximately 550,000 new Egyptian workers joining a saturated labour market, leading youth to consider irregular migration as an option.

Mr Taha also briefed the governor on IOM’s Fayoum School project, as a successful model for upgrading demand-driven vocational training and education offer in line with international standards, to enhance the skills of Egyptian youth to meet international demand. Mr Taha proposed its replication in Al Beheira.

Ms Abdou welcomed the cooperation with IOM and expressed her willingness to support IOM in expanding its operations in Al Beheira through a stable presence to support both Egyptians and migrants.

IOM also noted it is in touch with Egyptian civil society organizations in Beheira and is considering enhancing their response mechanism to avoid a tragic outcome like that of September 2016 when a boat carried hundreds of migrants capsized off the coast of Rosetta in the Northern Coast of Egypt.

The meeting followed Ms Abdou’s acceptance of IOM’s invitation to participate in the Fourth Mayoral Forum on Human Mobility, Migration and Development that will take place in Berlin on 26-27 June 2017. The Forum is the annual municipal dialogue on migration and development, supported by local, regional and international partners. Launched at the UN General Assembly’s Second High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development (HLD) in 2013, it provides an incubating space where local leaders can share practical and creative solutions for governing migration, protecting rights and promoting inclusive urban economic growth.

For further information, please contact Andrea Dabizzi at IOM Egypt. Tel: +202-27365140, Email: iomegypt@iom.int.