Welcome to the Georgia office! What are your main priorities and goals for the Georgia office in the coming months?

My first impressions of the IOM office here in Tbilisi are quite impressive. The breadth of the areas we are working on and the dedication of the team members, many of whom have been here for a long time, is remarkable. 

I believe that one of the key areas to focus on is the development of legal pathways, particularly in supporting Georgian migrants. When discussing outward migration, there are several important aspects to consider. Firstly, we need to ensure that the Georgian migration experience is as positive and productive as possible for both individuals and their families. The EU remains a significant attraction for people from countries like Georgia, as well as those from nations like Moldova, Armenia, and others further away, such as in the Western Balkans. The EU offers many prospects and freedom of movement due to the lack of visa requirements. However, there are also numerous challenges and vulnerabilities, including the risk of falling into irregular situations, which can lead to trafficking or smuggling, creating very negative outcomes.

It is crucial to continue conducting evidence-based research on outward migration, examining both positive and negative experiences, and gaining a comprehensive understanding of the specific circumstances faced by migrants. The IOM Mission in Georgia should take the lead in this effort, aiming to thoroughly understand what Georgian migrants are going through. This mission's main purpose is to deeply comprehend the situation of Georgian migrants, focusing on creating truly regular, legal, safe, and productive migration pathways. However, we are aware of various pitfalls, such as exploitation by unscrupulous recruitment agencies, resulting in extreme situations like trafficking and forced labour.

Another priority is to support the government in addressing climate-induced migration. Similar to other countries, Georgia is experiencing significant urbanization driven by internal migration due to climate change. This shift is affecting agricultural and business opportunities in rural areas. I've observed this trend closely in Moldova, and it is evident in Georgia as well. 

These are the two primary areas that require our attention.

The Georgia office has recently been designated as a Country Office with Coordinating Functions. Can you explain what this new function entails and how it will impact the work being done here, also what that would mean for other Missions under the COCF area?

There are many common challenges among these countries, particularly Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova, which can benefit from similar approaches. There is already a range of joint projects bilaterally and trilaterally among these countries. This new role will help strengthen opportunities, foster collaboration, and enhance project development within the sub-region.

For Belarus, which is under sanctions, it is challenging to work as an international migration organization. However, with strengthened administrative capacity and project development, we aim to address some of the issues faced by the mission there. In Azerbaijan, there is significant potential to work with the private industry on various issues, including climate change, urbanization, and relocation. Climate change, in particular, is a recurring theme that we need to address in multiple ways.

There's a wealth of experience here that I'd like our office to share as much as possible. This will create more opportunities for colleagues to meet and collaborate on similar areas within the country missions. Your experiences are in high demand, so I encourage you to support other countries as they would support you. Let's help each other in this region, understand the unique situations in different countries, and recognize commonalities and shared experiences. This way, we can avoid reinventing the wheel and learn from each other's experiences.

How do you envision strengthening partnerships with external counterparts within Georgia and wider region to enhance our mission's impact?

Working with the UN Country team is absolutely key. Strengthening the United Nations Migration Network is one of my ambitions, focusing on areas where our mandates overlap or have common issues. For instance, collaborating with UNFPA on demographic issues helps us understand migrant situations from both a population and demographic perspective, including skill sets and vulnerable populations among migrants or potential migrants.

Migrant health is a significant issue, and many people migrate from Georgia for health reasons. We need to identify specific needs and explore potential collaborations with WHO. Remittances heavily impact the GDP of many countries on the rim of the European economy. We can work with UNDP, the World Bank, to better utilize remittances and create investment avenues.

The Asian Development Bank is also interested in infrastructure, transport routes, and trade facilitation. With increased movement comes the need for augmented infrastructure, technical solutions, IT solutions, and artificial intelligence. However, this also requires the government to have Integrated Border Management to facilitate secure and efficient movements.

What strategies do you have in mind to address the key challenges facing the Georgia office and the region as a whole?

The region is quite volatile, with rapid changes in the political landscape and opportunities. Migration issues can become politically charged. Territorial disputes lead to massive flows of people, as seen in the recent situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Navigating these sensitive issues requires a conscious and mindful approach.

One key strategy is to focus on structural issues and work closely with the government to provide sustainable solutions, rather than just incidental interventions. This involves identifying strategic areas such as labor migration and migrant health, where we can make a significant impact. Partnerships with UN agencies are also crucial in addressing these challenges effectively.

Lastly, could you share a message with IOM employees and our partners about your vision for the future of the Georgia office and how we can all contribute to its success?

IOM Mission in Georgia is dedicated to understanding migratory movements and the perspectives of migrants. We aim to identify what compels people to migrate and how we can positively impact their lives by making the migration experience more productive and safe, while preventing issues like trafficking and smuggling. Our goal is to understand migrants and address their specific vulnerabilities, transforming migration into a positive experience.

We are entering interesting times in the migration area, with ongoing challenges like climate change and changing migration patterns. It's crucial to stay attuned to new situations and constantly revisit our approaches.