Earlier, the IOM Director General was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem.

By signing the accord, Vietnam confirms its consistent policy of promoting legal migration, combating illegal migration and human trafficking as well as protecting the rights and legitimate interests of Vietnamese migrants, Khiem said.

He pledged that Vietnam will continue to step up cooperation with and actively participate in IOM’s activities in order to contribute practically and efficiently to mutual efforts in migration management.

The IOM Director General affirmed that the signing of the agreement has elevated the two sides’ relationship to a new height.

He also referred to Vietnam’s growing role in the international arena and its active involvement in the management of international migration.

The official expressed his organization’s willingness to help Vietnam manage migration at national, regional and global levels and highly valued the Vietnamese foreign ministry’s support for IOM’s activities in Vietnam in the one-UN programme.

Vietnam became IOM’s 122nd member in 2007.