Beirut, 30.03.2022. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the General Directorate of General Security (GDGS) and the Embassy of Japan in Lebanon have today held an inauguration ceremony in Damour, to celebrate the opening of the General Security Academy for Training and Education and Cybersecurity, which was built by IOM with funding from Japan.

The newly established Academy aims to ensure that the Lebanese General Security and partners have professional and well-trained personnel to implement effective border and migration management policies that respond to the rapidly changing needs. This includes preventing irregular migration, addressing transnational organized crime such as human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and facilitating search and rescue for migrants at sea, while protecting the rights of migrants.

The inauguration ceremony attended by Major General Abbas Ibrahim, the General Director of GDGS, in the presence of the Ambassador of Japan to Lebanon H.E. Mr. Takeshi Okubo, and the Head of Office of the International Organization for Migration in Lebanon Mr. Mathieu Luciano.

“The General Security Academy for Training and Education and Cyber Security was established to build capacity and cooperation at the national, regional, and international levels, as well as to engage all relevant military and civilian stakeholders in a coordinated effort to raise the level of service and enhance security,” stated Major General Abbas Ibrahim.

“This center is expected to play an important role in further improving Lebanon’s institutional capabilities as a whole, thereby contributing to peace and stability of the country. Investment in human capital and security is an underlying concept of the project,” expressed H.E. Mr. Takeshi Okubo. “Japan will continue to support the Lebanese government’s effort towards comprehensive reforms with a view to accelerating the recovery and reconstruction through various schemes and projects. Needless to say, Lebanon’s stability is imperative for the stability of the whole Middle East,” he added.

“Today’s inauguration is an important milestone in IOM’s long-standing partnership with the General Directorate of General Security to promote safe and orderly migration in Lebanon.,” said Mr. Mathieu Luciano. ‘‘This project also reflects IOM’s very good cooperation with the Government of Japan, which continues to support IOM in Lebanon and across the world to help mitigate global migration challenges, and protect people on the move, including migrants, displaced persons, refugees, returnees and communities who are affected by COVID-19, conflicts and crises worldwide.”

Human rights- based, equitable, dignified, lawful and evidence-based migration and border management are paramount to promote safe and well-managed migration. For this purpose, IOM’s joint operations with donors and border authorities institute appropriate migration governance and management by creating policy, legislation, administrative structures, operational systems and providing the human resources necessary to respond effectively to diverse migration challenges. It also sets the ground for the development of training material, data management, knowledge sharing, capacity building, networking and communication.

For further information, please contact: Tala Al-Khatib at talkhatib@iom.int