Background   

Diasporas have long been integral to IOM’s mission, recognized as key drivers of positive change and sustainable development. Diaspora's unique capital, operationalized through their talent, networks, and diverse resources, positions them at the forefront of migration. Serving as agile, authentic, and powerful bridges between societies, they reduce distances and maximize strategic connections, intensify partnerships and resource mobilization for the benefit of migrant communities. These distinctive characteristics make them strategic enablers of regular migration pathways. Diasporas are also key drivers of innovation, bringing fresh perspectives, skills, and resources that bridge societies and foster transnational solutions. By reimagining models of diaspora engagement, enabling more dynamic and impactful collaborations across borders, diaspora-led initiatives can shape new paradigms of transitional cooperation in critical sectors.   

IOM has supported governments worldwide in crafting effective diaspora policies and strategies. IOM’s Strategic Plan 2024–2028 integrates diasporas as essential enablers to engage and deliver the promises on saving lives, driving solutions to displacement, and facilitating regular migration pathways. The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration,  which also rests on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, recognizes diaspora communities as key partners in unlocking the potential of migration and calls for their engagement throughout implementation under a “whole-of-society” approach. In Objective 19 of the GCM specifically, Member States commit to empowering migrants and diasporas to catalyse their development contributions, and to harness the benefits of migration as a source of sustainable development. The Pact for the Future, a plan proposed under the UN SG’s Our Common Agenda, adopted at the Summit of the Future in September 2024, also explicitly calls for recognizing the positive contributions of migrants to inclusive growth and sustainable development.   

IOM’s extensive experience in strengthening strategic partnerships with diasporas as well as with governments to support the development of diaspora policies spans countries from Albania to Zimbabwe. For decades, IOM has collaborated with Member States and diaspora communities to harness migration's benefits, leveraging their talent, networks, and agility. Programs such as the Return of Qualified Nationals and Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) have mobilized thousands of professionals to support crisis-affected regions, with notable contributions to health, education, and other critical sectors.   

In 2024, the Government of Cabo Verde and IOM co-hosted the International Conference on the Future Agenda of Action for Global Diaspora Engagement, showcasing diaspora perspectives through multistakeholder panels and frameworks developed by the Global Diaspora Policy Alliance (GDPA). The GDPA, shaped through an inclusive, consultative process, strengthens diaspora engagement with a focus on Gender and Youth, Climate Action, and Health and Well-being. These areas align with global priorities, including the SDGs, advancing diaspora-led solutions for sustainable development.   

From an Approach and Expertise to a Strategy   

IOM’s 3E Framework—Engage, Enable, Empower—highlights diaspora contributions to creating a supportive environment for effective migration. Over the years, IOM has developed practical tools, such as the Diaspora Mapping Toolkit, Contributions and Counting: Guidance on Measuring Economic Impact of your Diaspora beyond Remittances, the Framework for Diaspora Engagement in Humanitarian Assistance, and platforms such as iDiaspora.   

Building on these, a further institutional step is needed: the development of a cohesive, inter-departmental strategy. In response to the growing demand from Member States and diaspora communities for partnership, IOM must adopt a concrete, unified approach to diaspora engagement that aligns with global advancements and demonstrates IOM’s unique role and expertise in this area. This strategic framework should reinforce IOM’s vision of diasporas as essential partners across the organization, accelerating and scaling up the objectives outlined in the IOM Strategic Plan 2024–2028.   

Such a strategy will position IOM to effectively respond to the evolving needs of diasporas and Member States, establishing a stronger foundation for impactful collaboration and reinforcing the organization’s commitment to sustainable development, humanitarian response, and the strengthening of migration governance.   

Objectives  

• Provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of IOM’s diaspora engagement work, highlighting key milestones, policy frameworks, and strategic objectives to establish a shared understanding of IOM’s institutional approach. 
• Engage in an open and inclusive dialogue with stakeholders, including governments, diaspora organizations, experts, and the private sector, to co-create the main pillars of the institutional IOM Diaspora Strategy. 
• Ensure that diaspora voices, feedback, and vision are integrated into the IOM Diaspora Strategy, fostering a sense of ownership and alignment with diaspora priorities. 
• Develop actionable recommendations to operationalize the strategy, ensuring alignment with IOM’s broader strategic goals and the needs of diaspora communities.