08 Feb 2018

International Organisation for Migration (IOM) regional director responsible for Southern Africa, Mr Charles Kwenin on February 7 presented his letters of appointment to the Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi.

The presentation of the letters of appointment culminated with the signing of a cooperation agreement between Botswana and IOM.

Prior to the signing, Minister Venson-Moitoi stated that the occasion not only marked Botswana’s official welcome of the organisation in the country, but also signaled the start of diplomatic relations between the two.

For his part, Mr Kwenin said IOM was grateful for the signing of the agreement, a move that he said served to formalise relations between Botswana and their organisation.

Mr Kwenin also thanked the Botswana government for having supported and cooperated with IOM since becoming a member in 2011.

IOM was established in 1951 with the aim to facilitate the orderly and humane movement of migrants through such activities as making arrangements for the organised transfer of migrants, refugees, displaced persons and others in need of international migration services.

Since Botswana became a member state, the organisation has assisted the country in areas such as immigration and border management, disaster risk management and refugee resettlement among others. ENDS