The Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope, recently visited Mongolia, where she highlighted the intersection of climate change and migration. Speaking at the World Women’s Forum 2024 in Ulaanbaatar, Pope emphasized that women and girls are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. During her visit, she also met with Mongolia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Battsetseg Batmunkh, to discuss the impacts of climate change on migration.
The World Women’s Forum, organized under the theme “Towards a Green Future,” was hosted by the Government of Mongolia with the support of United Nations agencies in the country. The event aimed to promote gender equality and women’s rights in the context of environmental challenges. Pope pointed out that Mongolia’s harsh winters and increasing desertification are pushing people from rural areas to cities, highlighting how climate change is a major driver of migration worldwide. She commended Mongolia’s leadership in addressing these issues, noting the need for global solutions.
The forum brought together women leaders from around the world, including politicians, business figures, and social activists. Discussions focused on the critical role women play in tackling environmental issues, climate change, food security, and promoting gender equality in various sectors, such as sports, arts, and culture. Pope stressed that empowering women and girls through education is essential for achieving gender equality and addressing climate change effectively.
During her visit, Pope also engaged with migrants who have benefited from IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) program. In a traditional Mongolian yurt within the UN compound, she listened to their experiences and learned about the challenges they face. Since 2011, the AVRR program in Mongolia has helped over 9,000 vulnerable migrants return safely from 37 countries. Nearly 4,000 of these returnees have received additional support to rebuild their lives in Mongolia.
Pope reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to supporting migrants through safe return and reintegration programs. She highlighted the importance of understanding the experiences of migrants to ensure that IOM’s initiatives are responsive and effective in meeting their needs. Her visit underscored the critical connection between climate change, migration, and the empowerment of women and girls, calling for global action to address these intertwined challenges.