A broad range of factors continue to determine the movement of people around the world such as economic challenges, extreme poverty, or conflict, and increasingly the natural disasters.

Over the past 2 years, the Covid-19 pandemic has been the key factor determining mobility, as we have all experienced. Despite of these challenges and limitations, migrants keep finding ways to contribute to their families, communities and societies as a whole.

The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and its commitments are even more important in the context of COVID-19. They promote and protect the rights of migrants around the world, and help maximize the migrants’ contribution through transfer of knowledge, networks, and skills.

Each year, on 18 December IOM celebrates the International Migrants Day. This year, IOM Georgia marks it through the photo exhibition the “Faces of Migration 2021” featuring migrants from diverse backgrounds and cultures living in Georgia. What they have in common is their love for Georgia and their dream of living peaceful and fulfilled lives as a part of their host society.

Building upon work done last year, we continue to promote migrants’ stories and migrants’ impact and contribution, serving as a reminder to embrace diversity and all its benefits and overcome related prejudices.