The 109th session of the IOM Council in Geneva.

Uzbekistan became a full member of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

This became known after the 109th session of the Council of the UN Agency for Migration, which the day before voted for the support of the republic’s application for membership in IOM as a member state. As a result, after Uzbekistan joined the organization, the total number of member countries reached 173.

"With great pleasure I welcome Uzbekistan to the IOM family. Your country is one of the most ancient and located on the most favorable world trade routes, migrants have crossed it from time immemorial. For the first time, I have the honor to welcome the new member country and hope for a greeting many other countries during my tenure," said the new IOM General Director Antonio Vitorino.

The issue of Uzbekistan’s membership in the organization was included on the session’s agenda at the request of the republic’s government, which was introduced by the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labor Relations, Bahodir Nizomov.

Uzbekistan is the most densely populated Central Asian country, and locking IOM membership from the region.

“The Qazaq Times”