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Who we are
WHO WE AREThe International Organization for Migration (IOM) is part of the United Nations System as the leading inter-governmental organization promoting since 1951 humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, with 174 member states and a presence in over 100 countries.
Structure
Structure
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Our Work
Our WorkAs the leading inter-governmental organization promoting since 1951 humane and orderly migration, IOM plays a key role to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through different areas of intervention that connect both humanitarian assistance and sustainable development.
Cross-cutting Priorities
Cross-cutting Priorities
- Where we work
- Take Action
- Data and Research
- 2030 Agenda

Type: Regional consultative process on migration (region covered: South America)
Formal association with regional or multi-stakeholder organization: None
Established: 2000
Objectives
The South American Conference on Migration (SACM) or Lima Process aims to provide a platform for consultations for South American countries in the primary areas of development; diasporas; rights of migrants; integration; information exchange; migration statistics; climate change; counter-trafficking and counter-smuggling.
Its current priorities are:
- Ensuring respect for the human rights of migrants regardless of their status;
- Promotion of discourse on migration in relation to development;
- Strengthening of dialogue and political coordination among States;
- Highlighting the significance of migrants' contributions to the welfare and cultural enrichment of societies in countries of origin; and
- Promoting the participation of representatives from civil society.
Current Thematic Focus
- Migration and development
- Diasporas
- Migrant rights
- Migrant integration
- Migration data and statistics
- Combatting human trafficking
- Counter migrant smuggling
Chairing country
Current Chair: Chile
Past Chairs: Argentina (2021), Peru (2019-2020), Bolivia (2018-2019), Uruguay (2017-2018), Paraguay, Chile, Peru
Secretariat
- Technical Secretariat (IOM provides technical cooperation and administrative support)
- Members
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Member States (12 States)
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Guyana
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Suriname
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Observers
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Observer States (1 State)
- Mexico
Observer Organizations (10 organizations)
- Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR)
- Institute of Public Policies on Human Rights of MERCOSUR (IPPDH)
- Andean Community of Nations
- Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean ( ECLAC )
- International Labor Organization (ILO)
- International Organization for Migration (IOM)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR)
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Observer ISCMs (1 ISCM)
Representatives of groups affiliated with the Catholic Church and groups defending human rights may also be invited on an ad hoc basis.
- Meetings
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- September 17, 2020, Virtual Event, XIV Intersessional meeting
- November 22-23, 2018, Sucre, Cochabamba, Bolivia, XVIII South American Conference on Migration “South American Citizenship: a new culture of free human mobility towards Universal Citizenship”
- October 4-5, 2018, Montevideo, Uruguay, XIII Intersessional meeting
- May 9, 2018, Montevideo, Uruguay, I Plenary Meeting of the RCM and the SACM
- 14-16 November 2017, Montevideo, Uruguay, XVII SACM meeting
- 27-28 September 2017, Lima, Peru, XII Intersessional meeting
- 3-4 November 2016, Asunción, Paraguay, XVI SACM meeting
- 23-24 August 2016, Montevideo, Uruguay, XI Intersessional meeting
- 8–10 September 2015, Santiago, Chile, XV SACM meeting
- 4-5 August 2015, Asunción, Paraguay, X Intersessional meeting
- 16-17 October 2014, Lima, Peru, XIV SACM
- 19-20 August 2014, Brasilia, Brazil, IX Intersessional meeting
- 3-5 December 2013, Cartagena, Colombia, XIII SACM meeting
- 27-28 August 2013, Buenos Aires, Argentina, VIII Intersessional Meeting
- Documents
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- eclaración de Lima sobre el Pacto Mundial para una Migración Segura, Ordenada y Regular 2017
- Declaración de Buenos Aires 2013 ( ES )
- Declaration of Migration Principles and Overall guidelines 2011 ( EN | ES | PT )
- Plan Sudamericano de Desarrollo Humano de las Migraciones PSDHM 2010 ( ES )
- South American Conference on Migration 2000 - 2015
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For additional SACM and SACM-related documents (in English, Spanish and Portuguese), please visit the SACM Document Library.
- Contact Information
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Alba Goycoechea
Technical Secretariat Coordinator (SACM)
IOM Regional Office for South America
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel: +5411 5219-2033
E-mail: agoycoechea@iom.intWebsite
www.csm-osumi.org