On November 24-27, 2020, the 111^th session of the Council of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is taking place in a virtual format, being attended by representatives of its Member States, observers, as well as international organizations, including NGOs.

Addressing the participants, IOM Director General Mr. António Vitorino emphasized, in particular, the continued focus of the Organization's efforts to provide assistance to the affected population as a result of long-term conflicts and crises, outlined key aspects of the functioning and operation activities of IOM, its cooperation with other partners as well as the development of the UN Migration Network.

Participants of the session discussed the results of IOM's activities in 2020, complicated by the global coronavirus pandemic, approved Organization's Programme and Budget for the next year.

In his speech during the general debate, the Permanent Representative of Ukraine in Geneva Y.Klymenko noted the rapid response of the UN and its agencies to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world; welcomed a deeper involvement of IOM in addressing IDP issues; emphasized the existing humanitarian challenges for our country as a result of the ongoing aggression by the Russian Federation; outlined recent steps undertaking by the Government aimed at further solving of the problems of the affected population, in particular IDPs; gave examples of successful implementation of the joint projects with IOM in our country, and also stressed the readiness of the Ukrainian side to continue fruitfully cooperating with IOM in the field of migration.