Japan's leadership in supporting people on the move and in maximizing the potential of migration worldwide extends beyond humanitarian response, fostering long-term socio-economic resilience, said Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), during her visit to Japan for the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9).
"From responding to urgent displacement crises in Africa to fostering stronger livelihoods and improving border management, Japan's efforts show how migration can serve as a bridge between humanitarian needs and the revitalization of societies and economies," said DG Pope. "This is the essence of resilience: transforming mobility into a driver of stability, innovation, and shared prosperity."
Japan's partnership with IOM extends well beyond financial contributions, reflecting shared values and a commitment to dignity, resilience, and opportunity for people on the move. Since becoming a Member State in 1993, Japan has provided consistent support, including more than USD 51 million in 2024 alone to IOM operations in more than 30 countries, including Ukraine, Sudan, and Myanmar.
These contributions have enabled the provision of humanitarian assistance, community stabilization activities, and protection support for vulnerable people. Across Africa, Japan's support has combined emergency relief with investments in recovery, vocational training, climate adaptation, migrant health, and safe migration pathways, helping communities transition from crisis to stability.
Building on this commitment, at TICAD9, IOM and the Japan International Cooperation Agency co-organized a symposium titled "Building the Future Together: The Potential of Human Mobility in Connecting African Talent and Japanese Companies."
Through such initiatives, Japan's leadership and partnership with Africa help IOM respond swiftly in crises, support displaced families and create safe, dignified pathways to new opportunities. In Japan, IOM saw partners turning this vision into action.
