Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS), the scientific body of the Arab Interior Ministers Council (AIMC), has participated in the meeting to launch the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Strategy for the Gulf Countries (2021-2024). NAUSS was represented by Mr. Khaled Alharfash, the Vice-President for External Relations.
The meeting reviewed IOM strategy for the Gulf Countries (2021-2024), being the first strategy elaborated by IOM for the Gulf region. The strategy outlines nine objectives built around three strategic pillars: governance, mobility, and resilience. Through these pillars, IOM seeks to support Gulf countries to manage migration priorities, reform migration governance, ensure safe and dignified mobility pathways, address human trafficking, and forecast motives of migration to facilitate safer and orderly forms of migration.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Antonio Vitorino the Director General of IOM, Mrs. Carmela Godeau the IOM Regional Director for MENA Region, and Mr. Hassan Abdel Moneim the Special Envoy of IOM to the Gulf countries, in addition to delegations from the Arab Gulf countries.
NAUSS Vice-President for External Relations indicated that NAUSS, with the generous support accorded by the headquarters State; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Arab countries, has been able to achieve several targets and objectives of its strategic plan and NAUSS's annual work programs which are derived from the Arab plans and strategies and the recommendations approved by the meetings of AIMC.
Mr. Alharfash pointed out that NAUSS's annual work programs incorporate several scientific activities, namely conferences, seminars, and workshops implemented individually by NAUSS or in cooperation with its global partners. In addition, he stressed that issues of border security and migration besides relevant issues are among NAUSS academic, training, and research priorities, having implemented many activities and programs in cooperation with IOM, which is the most prominent international body in this field. These activities and programs aim at developing experts in areas of great priority for Arab security bodies, particularly in this important area, thus enhancing the international humanitarian efforts rendered to assist migrants, refugees, and displaced persons.
Furthermore, NAUSS Vice-President for External Relations elaborated that NAUSS, in partnership with IOM, and under the memorandum of understanding concluded between the two sides in 2019, endeavored to design and implement a set of activities during the years 2020/2021 despite the outbreak of (Covid-19). These activities aimed to confront the urgent challenges in the security and humanitarian fields relevant to issues of border security, migration, and human trafficking. He added that NAUSS is committed to the continuous development of the partnership with IOM so as to contribute to consolidating Arab international action and promoting sustainable development of the Arab countries.