Berlin, 12 December – Ahead of International Migrants Day on 18 December, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Germany joins the global community in celebrating migrants, advocating for their rights, and highlighting the positive potential of migration. This year, IOM emphasizes the importance of safe, orderly and regular migration pathways, which are critical to ensure the protection of migrants' rights and to advance sustainable development for both countries of origin and destination. 

Amy Pope, Director General of IOM, highlights the contributions of migrants to the development of the global community: “Migrants play critical roles in labor markets, filling skills gaps, driving innovation and entrepreneurship, and addressing demographic challenges in aging societies. Migrants boost economic growth and provide a lifeline to families and communities back home, driving development”. 

Regular pathways for migration provide opportunities for people to move for work or study, to be reunited with their families, or to provide humanitarian relief. These pathways are essential to protect the rights of migrants, foster stability, and ensure that migration is a driver of progress rather than division. 

Jean-Philippe Chauzy, Chief of Mission of IOM Germany, underscores the value of regular migration for Germany: “Safe and regular migration pathways are essential not only for meeting Germany’s labor market demands, particularly in sectors with critical skill shortages, but also for unlocking the broader societal benefits of migration. Migration drives innovation, fosters cultural exchange and enriches communities globally and here in Germany. Unfortunately, this potential can be overshadowed by polarized debates and negative narratives. It is time for a more nuanced and balanced discussion that acknowledges migration as a natural and valuable part of our shared human experience." 

To provide a more balanced and evidence-based view on migration, IOM Germany is launching “Migration Unpacked”, a podcast series, designed to foster a fact-based discussion about the various drivers of migration, with all its benefits and challenges. By focusing on migration topics such as conflict, climate change, and labour migration, the podcast aims to enhance understanding of migration in Germany and globally, and contribute to a more informed and fact-based discussion.  

The “Migration Unpacked” podcast series offers a platform to explore the key drivers of migration – conflict, climate change, and labour mobility – through in-depth discussions with leading experts.  

• Episode 1: Dr. Marie McAuliffe, Head of Migration Research & Publications at IOM, and Dr. Anne Koch from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs address the realities of conflict-driven migration and the policies needed to support those affected. 
• Episode 2: Dr. Andrea Milan, former Head of the Mobility Data Lab at IOM's Global Data Institute, and Dr. Kira Vinke, Head of the Centre for Climate and Foreign Policy at the German Council on Foreign Relations, explore the links between climate change and migration. 
• Episode 3: The discussion turns to labour migration, where Elizabeth Warn, Head of the Labour Mobility Division at IOM, and Kiron Open Higher Education’s Wenke Christoph and Anne Parsons highlight the contributions of migrants to labour markets and the importance of fostering inclusion. 

The “Migration Unpacked” podcast is available on all major platforms including Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Deezer, as well as the IOM Germany website.

Note to editors 

About the International Organization for Migration: With 175 member states and offices in over 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people. 

In the Federal Republic of Germany, the International Organization for Migration works with ministries and government agencies as well as civil society organizations, welfare and diaspora associations. Areas of work include protection, labour mobility and social inclusion, return and reintegration, resettlement and humanitarian admission, family reunification, crisis response, resource mobilization and psychosocial support. 

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For media inquiries, please contact:  

Srdjan Tošić, stosic@iom.int, media-de@iom.int