Ulaanbaatar – The Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Amy Pope concluded a visit to Mongolia, emphasizing how climate change and migration intersect and noting how women and girls are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. She spoke at the World Women’s Forum 2024 and met with Battsetseg Batmunkh, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Held under the auspices of President Ukhnaa and organized by the Government of Mongolia with partnership of the United Nations agencies with offices in Mongolia, the Forum’s theme ‘Towards Green Future’ affirmed initiatives to ensure gender equality and women’s rights globally.

“The impact of climate change is evident here. The country’s increasingly harsh winters and rising desertification are driving migration from rural to urban areas, and women and girls are especially vulnerable. It’s a prime example of what we see around the world as climate change drives more new displacement than any other cause,” DG Pope said. “We know that women are powerful drivers of change, and that’s why we commend Mongolia’s leadership in organizing the World Women’s Forum so leaders around the world can focus on solutions.”

Attended by global women leaders, politicians, business leaders and social activists, the Forum addressed the role of women leaders in environmental issues, climate change, food security and gender equal economies. Discussions also centred on empowerment of women and girls by investing in their education as well as gender equality in sports, arts, and culture.

DG Pope commended the Forum’s focus on migration, noting that migration can provide opportunities for women that they may not have had elsewhere. “Despite the heightened risks they face, the women and girls I’ve encountered around the world have remarkable strength, determination and dignity. We must do more to help them realize their full potential,” she said.

During her two-day visit, Pope also met with migrants supported by IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme in a traditional Mongolian ger (yurt) in the UN compound. Many shared their experiences and provided some insights on the AVRR programme. One of IOM Mongolia’s core initiatives, the AVRR programme has, since 2011, supported the safe and dignified return of over 9,000 vulnerable Mongolian migrants from 37 countries. Of these, 4,000 people have received further reintegration assistance to support their livelihoods upon their return.

During the meeting, DG Pope reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to supporting the safe return and reintegration of migrants, and highlighted the importance of listening to people’s experiences to ensure that IOM programmes are effective and responsive to their needs.