IOM and the Arab Labour Organization (ALO) yesterday signed a
cooperation agreement aimed at helping both achieve common
objectives on migration issues in the Arab region.

The agreement, which would allow the two organizations to carry
out joint projects on migration issues, included technical
cooperation as well as the exchange of experts and the training of
migrants in ALO countries.

Other areas where the IOM and ALO could work together in the
future include counter-trafficking, migration law, post-conflict
demobilization and rehabilitation and poverty reduction.

The Middle East hosts 10 per cent of the world's migrants and
the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have the highest percentage of
foreign workers anywhere in the world - sometimes accounting for up
to 75 per cent of the workforce. Faced with population growth and
rising levels of unemployment at home, receiving countries in the
Arab world are reviewing the role of migrant workers.

"Migration in the Arab world is a priority and this agreement is
a concrete move to address key issues," said Brunson McKinley, IOM
Director General, who signed the agreement, countersigned by ALO
Director General, Dr. Ibrahim Guider.

For further information, please contact:

Redouane Saadi

IOM Geneva

Tel: + 41 22 717 9321

Email: "mailto:rsaadi@iom.int" target="_blank" title=
"">rsaadi@iom.int