Veteran Philippine diplomat Evan Garcia was elected chairperson of the International Organization on Migration (IOM) Council Bureau, making him the first Filipino to lead the global migration body. 

Garcia, the Philippines’ permanent representative to the United Nations, was elected to the post on Tuesday, November 24, and will serve for a term of one year, until November 2021. 

Leading the IOM’s Council Bureau, its highest governing authority, Garcia will be among those responsible for reviewing and approving the agency’s programs. 

Prior to being elected council chair, Garcia served in each of the council’s other 3 posts: as rapporteur from 2017 to 2018, second vice president from 2018 to 2019, and first vice president from 2019 to 2020. 

Garcia, a career diplomat with over 30 years of experience, previously served as undersecretary for policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

He was also the country’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, consul and economic officer in the Philippines’ embassy to Japan, and political officer, acting consul general, and acting deputy chief of mission in the Philippines’ embassy in the United States.

Why it matters

The Philippines is a major source foreign labor, with over two million Filipinos leaving their homes every year to work overseas. Overseas Filipino workers (OFW) have been recognized worldwide for their skills, and at home for their critical role in the Philippines’ economy. 

The Commission on Overseas Filipinos estimated there were also some 10.2 million Filipinos living abroad as of 2018, including 4.8 million permanent migrants.

During the opening of the body’s 111th session on Tuesday, the Philippine delegate to IOM, Minister Maria Elena Cristina Maningat, highlighted the country’s expertise in migration cultivated since the 1980s. 

“(The) Philippines’ engagement on global migration governance is informed by over 4 decades of practice and experience to bring coherence to national, bilateral, and multilateral migration governance,” she said.

What to expect

Under Garcia’s chairmanship, the IOM can be expected to further promote and protect the rights of all migrants under the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration.

The Global Compact for Migration, though a non-binding document, sees member states commit to “cooperate internationally to facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration.” 

It is also a major advocacy of the Philippines, and was mentioned by President Rodrigo Duterte during his speech before world leaders at the 75th United Nations General Assembly. – Rappler.com