New head of UN organization aims to change migration’s bad image

GENEVA — The new director general of the International Organization for Migration on Monday stressed the benefits of legal migration and pledged to counter the negative image in many destination countries.

Amy Pope, who has taken over from António Vitorino at the head of the U.N. body, said a day after taking office that a system was required that would allow both migrants and destination countries to benefit.

Legal migration was good for the economy and should be promoted, Pope said. She pointed to convincing evidence that migration generated prosperity, promoted innovation, alleviated skills shortages and could help ageing societies.

The IOM, which is financed by the 175 member states, would draw in the private sector which backed migration for raising more funds, she said. Among its tasks, the organization assists people on migration routes and in natural disasters and helps returnees go home.

Pope praised the efforts of private organizations rescuing boat migrants in the Mediterranean region. “We appreciate the work of anyone who supports migrants in distress,” she said. “These are people first before we label them as migrants or asylumseekers.”

She listed causes of migration as climate change, violence and a lack of prospects. The dearth of legal routes led migrants to apply for asylum in a process that took time and often led to rejection. This overloaded the asylum systems needed for people facing persecution at home, she said.

“There are not enough regular pathways for people who are desperate,” she said in calling for “more regular pathways for those that cannot stay at home.”

Pope also called for greater investment in education to ensure that potential migrants had better prospects at home.

In a move seen as unusual in diplomatic circles, Pope, a U.S. citizen, campaigned to replace Vitorino, a Portuguese, even though he was seeking a second term. She said that more competition was needed for top positions in the U.N. system to provide fresh ideas for its organizations.