KRG Launches First Migration Governance Indicators in Kurdistan Region

“This initiative is part of KRG’s ongoing efforts to strengthen migration governance, in line with the objectives of the Global Compact for Migration,” the JCC posted on X.

“Maximizing the benefits of migration, while addressing its challenges, requires strong policies and institutional frameworks, clear objectives, and a long-term perspective,” the IOM also said in a press release received by Kurdistan Chronicle.

The IOM said that, under the leadership of KRG Interior Minister Reber Ahmed and in partnership with the IOM, the JCC is taking concrete steps toward the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration.

“In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, under the leadership of the Ministry of Interior/JCC, migration is prioritized within local and national policy agendas as a pathway to advancing sustainable human development in Kurdistan.

Honored to launch the First Migration Governance Indicators in Kurdistan Region,with the support of @nlinkri through @IOMIraq
This initiative is part of KRG’s ongoing efforts to strengthen migration governance,in line with the objectives of the Global Compact for Migration. pic.twitter.com/s4Xw5600RZ
— JCC_KRG (@JccKrg) August 25, 2025

“This commitment reflects the incorporation of target 10.7 of the 2030 Agenda, which emphasizes the importance of planned and well-managed migration policies,” the IOM said.

The IOM formulated the MGI to inform policy changes since 2016 and offer governments an introspective look at existing initiatives, helping to identify good practices and areas of potential growth.

Through the use of standardized indicators, the MGI assessment offers a comprehensive picture of migration governance at both national and local levels.

For instance, in the Kurdistan Region, migrants – including internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and asylum seekers – have access to government-funded health services under Law No. 4 of 2020 on patients’ rights and obligations.

Public primary and secondary education is also available to immigrants in line with Law No. 13 of 2022, while the Refugee Education Integration Policy of 2021 guarantees equal access to education for refugee children, ensuring their right to free enrollment in public schools.

Interior Minister Ahmed on August 19 also received Adriaan IJsselstein, the Consul General of the Netherlands in Erbil, in which they “explored avenues to further enhance cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations.”

“The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is doing something very remarkable by hosting nearly one million IDPs and refugees,” Consul General IJsselstein said in his speech at the event.

“The Netherlands supports Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in this regard through various programs focused on employment, education, and more. It is also important to look in a very structured way at the challenges and possible solutions, which is why it is good that the IOM and the KRG, with the support of the Netherlands, are implementing these MGIs.”

Consul General IJsselstein added that it is easy to tell the Iraqi government or the KRG to host more people or to stop illegal migration.

“For the Netherlands, it is very explicitly not only about words, but also about actions: we support reception, return, and integration. At the same time, we are also working on sustainable employment, encouraging entrepreneurship, and helping young people in very concrete ways to build up the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.”

Furthermore, the Consul General underlined that young people are needed to further strengthen the region and thanked the KRG for their efforts to support youth. However, he mentioned that the start-up climate in the Kurdistan Region “could be improved if large companies would take on a more active role and make investments available for young entrepreneurs.”