Regional Strategy for Central America, North America and the Caribbean 2020–2024

“The regional strategy is a living tool for IOM in the region to leverage migration for sustainable development, protect and assist migrants, and ensure no one is left behind.” Michele Klein Solomon, Regional Director

IOM is the leading international organization in the field of human mobility, supporting countries, communities and migrants by providing effective, coordinated operational responses and policy advice to complex and shifting dynamics of migration in Central America, North America and the Caribbean.

The work of IOM can be viewed through three lenses – resilience, mobility and governance – which set out a series of strategic priorities based on an assessment of what to expect until 2024 in terms of migration dynamics and migrant needs in a complex political, social and economic context.

IOM aligns its work with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the context of a reformed United Nations system. The commitment to leave no one behind can only be achieved with the full consideration of migrants and their families and communities. IOM will promote gender-sensitive approaches, whether through its general programming or its gender-specific programming.

As the Coordinator and Secretariat of the United Nations Network on Migration IOM assists countries wishing to implement the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.

Resilience

In a regional context of enormous socioeconomic disparities, poverty, violence, insecurity, and environmental and climate change risks, IOM will scale up its actions to address the adverse drivers of migration and internal displacement.

Main objective: Address the adverse drivers of migration 

• Strengthen disaster preparedness, reduce the risk of displacement and respond to crises. 
• Foster social cohesion, reduce violence, and encourage inclusive socioeconomic development in communities of origin and return.
• Facilitate the sustainable reintegration of migrants and affected populations.
• Advance adaptation to both sudden and slow-onset natural disasters, adverse effects of climate change and environment degradation.
• Reduce the costs of remittances, enhance the impact of remittances and facilitate direct diaspora engagement in development.
• Provide accessible and equitable quality health, including mental health services.
• Enhance the respect, protection and the fulfilment of the rights of migrants and assist those who are vulnerable to violence, exploitation and abuse, particularly women, children, youth, victims of trafficking and stranded migrants, among others.

Mobility

Innovative solutions ensure that safe, regular and orderly migration will be an essential element of the work of IOM work until 2024. They will reduce the vulnerabilities of migrants and strengthen their ability to contribute to society.

Main objective: Facilitate safe, regular and orderly forms of migration

• Support orderly migration processes with proven, practical solutions for registering and regularizing migrants, managing their identities and combating migration fraud, as well as preventing, detecting and responding to health threats linked to migration.
• Develop flexible and innovative mobility schemes based on national development plans, labour market needs and the impact of disasters, or for purposes of family reunification, among others.
• Ensure the safe and dignified return of migrants and affected populations.

Governance 

In line with the reform of the United Nations development system and its role as the Coordinator of the United Nations Network on Migration, IOM will strengthen the impact of its work by forging strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, notably, Member States, regional organizations, processes and initiatives, and other United Nations agencies.

Main objective: Serving as a trusted and effective leader and partner in relevant bilateral, regional and international initiatives and processes

• Effectively coordinate United Nations engagement on migration at the country and regional levels, notably towards the achievement of the SDGs and the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration.
• Build new and deepen existing partnerships and create synergies with regional processes and initiatives.
• Forge strategic partnerships, especially with development actors, to enhance the scope and impact of IOM programmes and projects.
• Enhance the capacity of governments to collect, analyse and use migration and internal displacement data for evidence-based policymaking.
• Strengthening national, provincial and local governments’ ability to develop and implement well-managed migration policies.