The IOM Council at its 105th session held in Geneva on 25th November 2014 unanimously approved Samoa’s application to be a member of the organization.

In thanking Council for its decision the Ambassador of Samoa, H.E. Fatumanava III Dr. Pa’olelei Luteru, to the EU noted that “such a decision represents a growing global recognition of not only the relevance but strategic importance of IOM to the development aspirations and challenges confronting member states”. He went on to say that Samoa as a small island developing state faces many hurdles of which the “nexus between climate change and migration and between labour mobility and remittances” demand full consideration and attention. The Ambassador further called on IOM to take up the key challenges identified in the SAMOA Pathway documents, within its sphere of competence, as part of its programme mandate.

Ambassador Luteru concluded by thanking the Director-General, Ambassador William Lacy Swing, for his attendance at the recent SIDS Conference in Apia and stated that Samoa looks forward to working closely with IOM and member states in advancing the cause of labour mobility and sustainable development.