Geneva, Switzerland, April 1, 2025. Her Excellency Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), today received Ambassador Rodolfo Benítez Verson, Permanent Representative of Cuba to the UN in Geneva, at the organization's headquarters.
During the cordial exchange, which also included several IOM officials and the Counselor of the Cuban Mission, Madelyn Rodríguez Lara, the Director General highlighted Cuba's support and commitment to the Organization and its contributions to its work.
She highlighted the serious and professional humanitarian work of Cuban doctors in different regions of the world, assisting many countries in need.
For his part, Ambassador Rodolfo Benítez expressed his gratitude for the valuable assistance provided to Cuba by the IOM in natural disaster recovery; in developing the country's migration profile; and in conducting academic studies related to internal migration issues, among others.
He highlighted the importance of the cooperation project with the island, "Cuba: Strengthening Territorial Development Planning with Migration Data," which benefits the country's demographic studies.
Both parties discussed work priorities for 2025, current migration trends, and bilateral cooperation programs. They agreed to continue strengthening the cooperative relations between Cuba and the IOM, which have proven to be mutually beneficial.
Ms. Amy Pope began her tenure at the helm of IOM in 2023, becoming the first woman to hold the position of Director General since the Organization's founding in 1951. IOM's mission is to ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, promote international cooperation in this area, assist in the search for practical solutions, and provide humanitarian assistance to migrants. It has 175 Member States.