International Migrants Day

  Today, on International Migrants Day, we celebrate migration as a powerful story of resilience, connection, and shared progress. The theme — “My Great Story: Cultures and Development” — recognizes the profound ways in which human mobility shapes our world: enriching societies, sparking innovation, and advancing sustainable development when grounded in dignity and rights. Migration has always been a force that binds the world together. Across borders and generations, the movement of people has driven cultural exchange, strengthened communities, and energized economies. At the heart of this story are women. Whether migrating themselves, supporting loved ones from afar, or adapting to the changes migration brings to their households, women play a vital and often invisible role. Their earnings sustain families. Their care work supports entire communities. Their leadership helps societies adapt and flourish. Yet for too many migrant women and girls, the journey is marked by risk — not...

On International Migrants Day, we highlight stories of personal growth, contribution, and social connections. These are everyday moments that shape how societies grow and live together, and today we pause to acknowledge them. Stories

Today, as the world marks International Migrants Day (IMD), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is reaffirming migration as a story of opportunity, human progress, and shared development and calling for stronger, more robust migration systems that protect people on the move and support the communities that welcome them. Observed every year on  December 18th , the observance of the International Migrants Day recognizes the contributions of migrants worldwide and underscores the importance of protecting their rights and dignity. In 2025, the Day is marked under the theme “ My Great Story: Cultures and Development ,” highlighting how human mobility enriches societies, drives economic growth, and strengthens connections across communities. “Migration is woven into the lives of families and communities everywhere. It is a story of courage, determination, and the ties that bind us across borders,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “Today, we honor the people who s...

  Every year on 18 December, International Migrants Day is recognized to advocate for migrants’ rights, including their right to health. WHO/Europe marks International Migrants Day by joining the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in its call to support people in finding safety and opportunity by ensuring access to health services throughout their migration journeys. The health dimensions of migration include ways in which human mobility affects physical and mental well-being, access to health services and continuity of care across borders, as well as whether health systems respond in inclusive and equitable ways. Protecting migrants’ health is essential for collective development, social cohesion and resilient health systems, and it is fundamental to achieving universal health coverage. Migration is a long-standing part of human history, shaped by people moving for varied reasons and along diverse routes An estimated 94.1 million international migrants live in the Euro...

As migration continues to shape our world, IOM’s 2026 Global Appeal seeks to support 41 million people on the move and strengthen the systems that make migration safe, orderly, and regular.

To mark International Migrant Day 2025 , the IOM invites people everywhere to join DG Pope in taking part by sharing their own migration stories using the hashtag #MyGreatStory . Individuals, communities, and business leaders are encouraged to reflect on how migration has shaped their lives, cultures, and contributions , and to join a global conversation on the role of human mobility in driving development and economic growth.

Migration is shaping our world in profound and lasting ways. From driving economic growth and innovation to strengthening communities and sustaining development, human mobility is a defining force of the 21st century. International Migrants Day 2025 ( December 18th ) celebrates migrants for their economic contributions, resilience, skills, and stories, recognizing the strength, leadership, and courage migrants bring to societies everywhere . On this day, let us stand together to protect the rights of every migrant and ensure that migration is safe, dignified, and empowering for all. Remittances to low- and middle-income countries are projected to hit a record USD 685 billion, with migrants playing a key role. Celebrating migrants and their stories of resilience and possibility  and the issue of  Migration  with the  IOM

Closing of session. The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW) is the body of independent experts that works to protect the rights of the millions of migrant workers around the world. Migrant workers and their families often experience marginalization, xenophobia, and poor living and working conditions. In serious cases, they suffer exploitation, expulsion, and risk to life. The Committee monitors how States are implementing the Convention and protecting the human rights of migrants. Related Documents:  CMW 41st Session (01-11 Dec 2025) Watch the 626th Meeting, 41st Session, Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW)! Live Human Rights Treaty Bodies

   Consideration of Honduras (cont'd). The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW) is the body of independent experts that works to protect the rights of the millions of migrant workers around the world. Migrant workers and their families often experience marginalization, xenophobia, and poor living and working conditions. In serious cases, they suffer exploitation, expulsion, and risk to life. The Committee monitors how States are implementing the Convention and protecting the human rights of migrants. Related Sites and Documents:  CMW 41st Session (01-11 Dec 2025) . Watch the 620th Meeting, 41st Session, Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW)! Live Human Rights Treaty Bodies

Consideration of Honduras, The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW) is the body of independent experts that works to protect the rights of the millions of migrant workers around the world. Migrant workers and their families often experience marginalization, xenophobia, and poor living and working conditions. In serious cases, they suffer exploitation, expulsion, and risk to life. The Committee monitors how States are implementing the Convention and protecting the human rights of migrants. Related Documents:  CMW 41st Session (01-11 Dec 2025) Watch the 619th Meeting, 41st Session, Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW)! 03:23:18 Human Rights Treaty Bodies

Consideration of Indonesia (cont'd)  The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW) is the body of independent experts that works to protect the rights of the millions of migrant workers around the world. Migrant workers and their families often experience marginalization, xenophobia, and poor living and working conditions. In serious cases, they suffer exploitation, expulsion, and risk to life. The Committee monitors how States are implementing the Convention and protecting the human rights of migrants. Related Documents:  CMW 41st Session (01-11 Dec 2025) Watch the 613th Meeting, 41st Session, Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW)! Human Rights Treaty Bodies

 Consideration of Indonesia (continued). The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW) is the body of independent experts that works to protect the rights of the millions of migrant workers around the world. Migrant workers and their families often experience marginalization, xenophobia, and poor living and working conditions. In serious cases, they suffer exploitation, expulsion, and risk to life. The Committee monitors how States are implementing the Convention and protecting the human rights of migrants. Related Sites and Documents  CMW 41st Session (01-11 Dec 2025) . Watch the 612th Meeting, 41st Session, Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW)! Live Human Rights Treaty Bodies

Consideration of Indonesia. The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW) is the body of independent experts that works to protect the rights of the millions of migrant workers around the world. Migrant workers and their families often experience marginalization, xenophobia, and poor living and working conditions. In serious cases, they suffer exploitation, expulsion, and risk to life. The Committee monitors how States are implementing the Convention and protecting the human rights of migrants. Related Sites and Documents  CMW 41st Session (01-11 Dec 2025) . Watch the 611th Meeting, 41st Session, Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW)! Live Human Rights Treaty Bodies

Consideration of Mauritania. The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW) is the body of independent experts that works to protect the rights of the millions of migrant workers around the world. Migrant workers and their families often experience marginalization, xenophobia, and poor living and working conditions. In serious cases, they suffer exploitation, expulsion, and risk to life. The Committee monitors how States are implementing the Convention and protecting the human rights of migrants. Related Sites and Documents:  CMW 41st Session (01-11 Dec 2025) . Watch the 610th Meeting, 41st Session, Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW)! Human Rights Treaty Bodies 03:15:52

Opening of session. The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW) is the body of independent experts that works to protect the rights of the millions of migrant workers around the world. Migrant workers and their families often experience marginalization, xenophobia, and poor living and working conditions. In serious cases, they suffer exploitation, expulsion, and risk to life. The Committee monitors how States are implementing the Convention and protecting the human rights of migrants. Related Sites and Documents:  CMW 41st Session (01-11 Dec 2025) . Watch the 609th Meeting, 41st Session, Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW)! Human Rights Treaty Bodies 03:15:52