Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

The United States welcomes Amy E. Pope’s appointment as the new Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Ms. Pope, who took on her new role October 1, is the first woman to lead this critical international organization in its more than 70-year-old history.

As we face the challenges presented by historic levels of migration and displacement around the world, IOM is an essential partner of the United States in promoting safe, orderly, and humane migration management and providing humanitarian assistance.

The United States is and remains IOM’s largest bilateral donor. In support of Ms. Pope’s vision for a more effective and inclusive IOM, I am announcing more than $19 million in funding to facilitate important capacity-building efforts around data, program oversight, and the impact of climate change on migration.

The State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration recently renewed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) with IOM to continue our long-standing partnership on the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). This MOU will be instrumental in meeting the United States’ goal to welcome 125,000 refugees in FY 2024.

The United States strongly supports Ms. Pope’s vision, and we look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with IOM to create lifesaving solutions for vulnerable populations.