China News Service, Beijing, January 30 (Geneva News): The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a specialized agency of the United Nations headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, announced on the 29th local time that nearly 100 migrants have died or died in the central and eastern Mediterranean since 2024. Missing, there is an urgent need to open a normal immigration route.
According to the official website of the United Nations Office in Geneva, the International Organization for Migration pointed out that 2023 will be the year with the highest number of deaths of maritime migrants in Europe since 2016. Since the beginning of 2024, nearly 100 migrants have died or gone missing in the central and eastern Mediterranean, more than double the number in the same period in 2023.
According to statistics from the International Organization for Migration’s Missing Migrants Project, the number of dead and missing migrants across the Mediterranean region is increasing year by year, from 2,048 in 2021 to 2,411 in 2022, and jumped to 3,041 by the end of 2023.
It is reported that Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration, will attend an Italy-Africa conference in Rome, the Italian capital, to discuss solutions aimed at protecting migrants. Italian Prime Minister Meloni, European Commission President von der Leyen, leaders of many African countries, and representatives of international institutions such as the United Nations and the World Bank will attend the meeting.
Pope said attendees could discuss "unified and sustainable" mechanisms to protect immigrants. "The latest records of deaths and disappearances remind us that a comprehensive approach, including safe and regular pathways, is the only solution that benefits both migrants and countries," she said.
The source also said that Italy will propose a plan during the meeting to strengthen its role as a bridge between Europe and Africa. (over)