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UNCLAS GENEVA 001265 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR PRM 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREF PREL SMIG
SUBJECT: 98TH IOM COUNCIL - GENERAL DEBATE AND RESOLUTIONS 
 
REF: A. STATE 120258 
     ¶B. GENEVA 1021 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary: IOM Director General William Swing 
presided over the organization's Ninety-Eighth Council 
meeting November 23-26, which focused on a number of 
institutional issues, including budget and structural reform 
initiatives.  Member States agreed to a 1.5 percent increase 
in IOM's 2010 Administrative Budget to 39,388,000 Swiss 
francs (approx USD 38.6 million); adopted the 2010 
Operational Budget of USD 650.6 million; and agreed to resume 
consultations on budget reform.  After much debate and 
extended informal consultations Member States adopted a 
resolution authorizing IOM's administration to begin 
implementing the recommendations of the Director General's 
ad-hoc structure review team (SRT).  The Council agenda also 
included two sessions of the International Dialogue on 
Migration (IDM) on the thematic issues of Human Rights and 
Migration and Global and Regional Migration Dialogues, as 
well as an Administration presentation on IOM's approach to 
irregular migration and mixed flows.  Member States elected 
the Executive Committee for 2010-2011; and appointed the 
Comptroller and Auditor General of India as external auditor 
for the period of 2010-2012.  End Summary. 
 
-------------------- 
Election of Officers 
-------------------- 
 
¶2.  (U) The Council elected by acclamation the following 
officers who will serve as the Bureau for all IOM governing 
body meetings until the IOM Council in December 2010: 
 
-- Chairman: Ambassador (Mr.) Shinichi KITAJIMA, Japan; 
-- Fist Vice-Chair: Ambassador (Mr.) Idriss JAZAIRY, Algeria; 
 
-- Second Vice-Chair: Ambassador (Mr.) Christian STROHAL, 
Austria; 
-- Rapporteur: (Ms.) Adriana MENDOZA, Colombia. 
 
------------ 
New Observer 
------------ 
 
¶3.  (U) The Council approved the application of the European 
Youth Forum (YFJ) to be an IOM Observer. 
 
-------------------------- 
Director General Statement 
-------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (U) Director General (DG) William Swing in his annual 
report to the Council highlighted the wide range of 
programmatic activities IOM undertakes around the globe, 
provided an overview of the organization's accomplishments in 
2009, and noted areas the organization will continue to work 
on in 2010.  He emphasized, as he does in almost all 
presentations to member states, his ongoing commitment to 
"member state ownership of the organization," including 
regular and close consultation on all aspects on 
institutional governance, enhancing partnerships with UN 
agencies, and improving staff development.  He noted 2009 was 
the 25th anniversary of initiation of an earlier internal 
reform process that included a move to the current 
Headquarters building, a new leadership structure, and a 
review of IOM's Constitution, changes that helped to prepare 
IOM for a period of exponential growth and a broadening and 
deepening of its activities around the world.  Looking ahead, 
Swing observed that, in addition to the current structural 
and budget reform initiatives, the organization needed to 
enhance oversight and monitoring; improve gender equity 
within the organization; reevaluate the viability and 
sustainability of some IOM country offices; and improve 
internal communication. 
 
----------------- 
Member Statements 
----------------- 
 
¶5.  (U) Member States, while broadly supportive of the 
current strategic direction of the organization, addressed a 
number of common themes in the general debate.  These 
include: broad support for the proposed structural reform; 
support for the human rights of migrants; the need to review 
IOM's budget structure; the impact of the current global 
economic crisis on migration flows; and the importance of 
continued close partnership between IOM and UNHCR, and 
between IOM and the regional consultative processes on 
migration.  Sweden, speaking on behalf of the European Union, 
noted EU support for the structural review team 
recommendations, but urged IOM to also focus on effective 
oversight mechanisms and to ensure IOM capacity in the 
Mediterranean corresponds to the unique needs in the region. 
Sweden also briefed IOM members on several regional 
developments as the EU moves to create a coherent, common 
migration policy among all 27 members.  Ecuador, speaking on 
behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean countries 
(GRULAC), thanked IOM for existing programs in the region, 
but noted their concern that few new IOM activities were 
initiated in 2009.  Ecuador also expressed the GRULAC 
position that states must reduce the development gap to 
address the root causes of migration and the impact of 
environmental changes and natural disasters.  Sudan, speaking 
on behalf of the Africa group, touched on the importance of 
the linkages of migration and development, hinting that they 
would like to see more of a focus on this issue in the 
upcoming discussion of IOM Strategy.  The Africa group agreed 
with the objectives of the SRT report, but requested more 
time to study its specific recommendations.  Sudan also 
regretted the insufficient IOM resources dedicated to Africa 
projects given the serious and complex migration challenges 
the continent faces. 
 
¶6.  (U) PRM Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Margaret 
Pollack heading the U.S. delegation, welcomed new IOM Deputy 
Director General (DDG) Laura Thompson, expressed appreciation 
for the work of IOM administration and staff as they 
simultaneously tackle budget and structural reforms, and the 
administration's willingness to strengthen IOM's personnel 
structures.  She urged the Administration to continue to 
consult with Member States as it pursues these reforms. 
 
------------------------------ 
IOM Governance and Resolutions 
------------------------------ 
 
¶7.  (U) IOM Structural Review: IOM circulated a draft 
resolution on the structure review based upon Member State 
feedback during the Standing Committee on Programs and 
Finance (Ref B).  Most member states strongly supported the 
resolution, which would authorize the IOM administration to 
proceed with the structural adjustments in consultation with 
member states and within the limits of available resources. 
The Africa group initially objected to the resolution over 
concerns regarding the number and placement of regional 
offices.  However, after extensive informal consultations led 
by DDG Thompson the group agreed to a revised text that 
endorsed the SRT report but dropped specific reference to the 
eventual number of regional offices once the reform process 
is complete.  The Council passed the revised resolution by 
consensus.  IOM staff later noted that, surprisingly, the 
language of final resolution was stronger than the initial 
draft. 
 
¶8.  (U) Program and Budget for 2010: The Council adopted the 
2010 Program and Budget providing for a 1.5 percent increase 
in the Administrative Budget to 39,388,000 Swiss francs 
(approx. USD 38.6 million).  (Note: The USG 2010 assessment 
will be 9,247,251 Swiss francs, or approx. USD 9.1 million). 
The Program and Budget resolution also includes a provision 
calling on the DG and Member States to resume consultations 
on budget reform "with a view to finding solutions to address 
funding of the core structure." 
 
¶9.  (SBU) A group of countries led by Canada and supported by 
Japan, France, Germany and the UK, initially lobbied for zero 
nominal growth (ZNG) in the 2010 budget. (Note:  The USG 
supported IOM's Scenario I proposal for a 2.55 percent 
increase.).  Wishing to avoid the last minute negotiations 
which dominated lst year's Council session, Member States 
compromsed on the 1.5 percent proposal early in the week. 
Although the IOM administration did not receive te full 2.55 
percent requested, they were pleasedthat Member States 
agreed to reengage on broaderbudget reform, and that member 
states were willig to move away from a strict ZNG position. 
 
¶10.  U) Reports: The Council adopted resolutions acceptng 
the Reports on the Ninety-sixth Council the Ninety-seventh 
(Special) Session of the Council, and the Hundred and Sixth 
Session of the Executive Committee. 
 
¶11.  (U) Appointment of an External Auditor for the period 
2010-2012: At the proposal of the Council Chair and with the 
agreement of the five candidates, MemberStates held an 
initial straw poll to gauge suppot for each candidate. 
Following the straw poll, ember states held a second secret 
ballot among te two remaining candidates, Ghana and India 
In the formal vote, India received 59 votes to Ghana's 43 
votes.  Three Member States abstained.  Ghana graciously 
expressed their appreciation to all Member States and pledged 
 
 
their full support to India in this position. 
 
¶12.  (U) Arrears: IOM Administration reported that nine 
states had made payments since the November Standing 
Committee on Programs and Finance: Argentina, 
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Colombia, Croatia, Iran, Libya, Namibia, 
Paraguay, and the Republic of Korea.  Twelve Member States 
are adhering to their repayment plans, leaving only eleven 
member states still subject to Article 4 of IOM's 
Constitution, meaning having outstanding arrearages for more 
than two years.  Approximately USD 7.6 million in assessed 
contributions remain unpaid.  DG Swing noted his efforts to 
work closely with countries in arrears to try to help them 
come current in their payments, and urged those Member States 
who haven't negotiated a repayment plan to do so. 
 
¶13.  (U) Members states elected the 2010-2011 Executive 
Committee by acclamation.  The new committee will have 
thirty-three members, a reduction of two members from 
2008-2009.  The new ExCom members are Angola, Bangladesh, 
Bolivia, Congo, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, 
Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kenya, 
Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Philippines, 
Republic of Korea, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, 
Sweden, Thailand, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United Republic of 
Tanzania, and the United States. 
 
¶14.  (U) Irregular Migration and Mixed Flows: IOM provided an 
overview of its strategy which focuses on both short and 
long-term needs of migrants.  IOM noted that all efforts are 
based on the human rights of migrants, and that their 
activities can include direct assistance to migrants; helping 
states to develop policy and legislation; training officials; 
dissemination information; and coordinating partnerships 
between states.  Member States generally supported the IOM 
strategy and thanked IOM for its work. 
 
----------------------------------- 
International Dialogue on Migration 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶15.  (U) Human Rights of Migrants: The human rights of 
migrants were a recurring theme throughout the Council and 
the main topic of a keynote video address by Liberian 
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.  Many Member States also 
raised this issue in their statements during the general 
debate and it was touched upon in IOM's presentation on 
irregular migration and mixed migratory flows.  It was also 
the theme of the first International Dialogue on Migration 
(IDM) plenary discussion.  Interventions ranged from those 
encouraging Member States to respect the human rights of 
migrants to interventions that sought a more expansive 
definition of human rights, either by including economic and 
social rights or by referring to a 'universal' principle of 
non-discrimination. USDEL noted that this was not a term we 
have heard used before.  Kyung-wa Kang from the Office of the 
High Commissioner for Human Rights supported the universality 
of this principle, but could not cite any agreement which 
clearly establishes it as an accepted principle. 
 
¶16. (U) Highlights of Global and Regional Migration 
Dialogues:  In the second IDM plenary session, the Greek 
Permanent Representative briefed IOM members on the recent 
4th Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) held in 
Athens November 4-5.  He reported the Forum had been 
successful in laying out concrete steps member states can 
take to promote better coherence between migration and 
development policies and how migration can contribute to 
achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.  Mexico's 
Undersecretary for Population, Migration, and Religious 
Affairs described his government's plans for the fifth GFMD 
scheduled for November 2010.  Mexico is considering possible 
themes for its GFMD chairmanship that would emphasize "shared 
responsibility" of destination and origin countries in 
dealing with the challenges of migration and the need to 
protect the human rights of migrants regardless of 
documentary status.  He described the steps Mexico is taking 
to incorporate human rights concerns into its own migration 
policies, including mainstreaming the principle of 
non-discrimination into its migration policies and procedures 
and establishing protections for unaccompanied minors. 
Thailand's Permanent Representative and South Africa's Deputy 
Minister of Home Affairs described their governments' 
individual experiences heading regional migration dialogues 
in their respective regions.  They emphasized the fact that 
discussing sensitive subjects of migration in smaller group 
settings such as RCPs often leads to more effective 
cooperation among regional actors.  Finally, Sweden's State 
Secretary for Migration and Asylum Policy described her 
government's leadership under the rubric of its current EU 
Presidency to advance common EU-wide policies and standards 
on migration and asylum policies and common approaches to 
counter-trafficking.  These policies are part of a five-year 
Freedom, Security, and Justice work plan known as the 
Stockholm Program that was adopted at the December 10-11 EU 
summit. 
 
---------------------- 
Global Migration Group 
---------------------- 
 
¶17.  (U) Global Migration Group:  Director General William 
Swing, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres, UN 
Under-Secretary General for UN-DESA, and UNITAR Executive 
Director Carlos Lopes participated in a panel discussing the 
accomplishments of the Global Migration Group over the past 
year.  The GMG has established an annual work-plan to ensure 
continuity between chairs, met on a more regular basis, and 
participated in the Global Forum on Migration and Development 
to increase its visibility. 
 
------------------------------------- 
2010 Meetings of IOM Governing Bodies 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶18.  (U) The Council approved the following schedule of 
meetings for 2010: 
 
-- 6th Standing Committee on Programs and Finance (SCPF): May 
10-11; 
-- 107th Executive Committee: June 28; 
-- 7th SCPF: November 2-3; 
-- 99th (Special) Council Meeting: June 28 
-- 100th Council Meeting: November 29-December 2. 
GRIFFITHS