Iraq Unveils First National Plan for Safe Migration
Iraq has taken a historic step by launching its first national plan on migration, a five-year strategy designed to promote safe, orderly and regular migration pathways for Iraqis. The plan creates opportunities for work, education and family reunification, while also strengthening Iraq’s overall migration governance and positioning migration as a driver of stability and development.
“Iraq is setting an example for the region and beyond, showing how national leadership and genuine partnership can turn migration into an engine for dignity, opportunity, and development,” said Deputy Director General for Operations at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), welcoming the launch. “This national plan demonstrates that when policies are grounded in evidence and shaped by people’s needs, migration can benefit migrants, communities, and the country as a whole.”
Iraq is both a country of origin and destination. Around two million Iraqis live abroad, and thousands more are considering migration for various reasons. More than 58,000 Iraqis have returned in the past seven years, rebuilding their lives at home, while the country also hosts over 370,000 migrant workers, mainly engaged in semi-skilled sectors such as construction and domestic work.
The National Plan to Promote Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, covering 2025-2030, responds to these realities, envisions stronger institutional coordination and engagement of the private sector, emphasizes data-driven decision-making, and recognizes migration as a tool for national development and stability.
“It is a vision for Iraq’s future that upholds human dignity, serves the national interest, and aligns with our international commitments under the Global Compact for Migration (GCM) ,” said Evan Faeq Gabro, Minister of Migration and Displaced.
Developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Migration and Displaced with the support of IOM and the Government of the Netherlands, the plan translates Iraq’s global commitments into national action.
“Today, we are here to commit ourselves to ensuring that migration is about dignity, safety, and opportunity for migrants, their families, and the communities they join,” added Claudio Cordone, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq.
The launch comes as the international community prepares for the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) in 2026, where governments will assess progress on the GCM. As a GCM Champion Country – one of the states recognized for voluntarily taking a leadership role in advancing the Compact – Iraq’s experience will contribute to global discussions, demonstrating how migration, when well-managed, can be a choice rather than a necessity.
https://www.iom.int/news/iraq-launches-its-first-national-plan-promote-safe-orderly-and-regular-migration