Cairo – 13th of June – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Economic Research Forum (ERF) signed a cooperation agreement on Monday June 13th to strengthen information gathering and dissemination as well as to address knowledge gaps in migration related issues of common interest.

The agreement highlights a common desire between IOM and ERF to enhance cooperation and further opportunities in data collection and research, policy, and programming. It is intended to help synergize efforts and sharing and promoting good practices and policy recommendations through national and regional dialogue at a time when the unfolding socio-economic challenges facing migration and mobility following the COVID-19 pandemic are unprecedented.

“This cooperation between ERF and IOM will have a huge contribution towards the much-needed knowledge, research and evidence-based policy insights,” said Ms. Carmela Godeau, IOM’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “This agreement contributes to the Sustainable Development Goal 17 through the implementation of multi-stakeholder partnerships as important vehicles for mobilizing and sharing knowledge, expertise, technologies, and financial resources to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries,” she added.

“We recognise the key role that the IOM and ERF will need to play in generating evidence-based and policy relevant research with a view to informing policy discussions and public debates on issues of common interests and priorities for the MENA region,” said Dr. Ibrahim Elbadawi, Managing Director of the ERF.

Based on the agreement, IOM and ERF will cooperate in conducting research studies on matters of mutual interest, as well as organizing learning, research dissemination and capacity development events in support to government counterparts, and other relevant partners.

Topics of mutual interest include rural/urban migration, assessing the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in the MENA region, the impacts of climate change on migration and mobility, and many other migration related topics.

The signing of the agreement took place during a special ceremony attended by Dr. Ibrahim Elbadawi, Managing Director of the ERF, and Ms. Carmela Godeau, IOM’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa .

Background on ERF

ERF is a regional network dedicated to promoting high quality economic research to contribute to sustainable development in the Arab countries, Iran and Turkey. ERF’s core objectives are to build strong research capacity in the ERF region; to lead and support the production of independent, high quality economic research; and to disseminate research output to a wide and diverse audience.

Background on IOM

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. IOM is part of the United Nations system, as a related organization. IOM supports migrants across the world, developing effective responses to the shifting dynamics of migration and, as such, is a key source of advice on migration policy and practice. The organization works in emergency situations, developing the resilience of all people on the move, and particularly those in situations of vulnerability, as well as building capacity within governments to manage all forms and impacts of mobility.

For more information please contact: Mr. Tamim Elyan (IOM): telyan@iom.int or Ms. Mohga Mohamed (ERF): mmohamed@erf.org.eg