Chisinau, September 25 – The Deputy Regional Director prioritized a visit to a government-run shelter for victims and potential victims of trafficking supported by IOM and discussed with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Felicia Bechtoldt, IOM Moldova's Chief of Mission, Ester Ruiz de Azua, and representatives of Civil Society, the challenges related to human trafficking in the country and IOM’s support to the government and civil society to strengthen measures and actions to combat this pervasive crime.

On 24 and 25 September 2024, for the first time, the International Organization for Migration in the Republic of Moldova was at the 15th anniversary of the Prague Process - Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) organized by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development in Chisinau, with the participation of IOM’s Deputy Regional Director and the Chief of Mission of IOM Moldova.

“At IOM, we recognize that partnerships and regional processes such as these are key to advancing our strategic objectives. We remain committed to working closely with Member States, international organizations, civil society, academia, migrants, local communities, and other key partners, including the private sector, and through the UN Network on Migration,” stated the IOM’s Deputy Regional Director.

In participation, IOM continued to recognize the value in partnerships and regional processes that further discuss facilitating regular pathways, saving lives, and driving solutions to displacement.