Transforming the International Organisation for Migration: An Analysis of the IOM Strategic Vision

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has actively advocated for the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Global Compact for Migration (GCM). Following their adoption, it not only pledged to assist states in their implementation, but it also drafed he IOM Sraegic Vi ion o realign i aci i ie and mandae accordingl for he ear o come. Thi repre en he IOM lae effor o hore p i claim o global leader hip in migration governance. While the IOM is often understood as a functional intergovernmental organisation (IGO) showcasing its expert authority, this working paper argues that such involvement aims to transform it into a more normative IGO. Despite lacking any supervisory role over the 2030 Agenda and the GCM, the IOM would wield them to bolster its moral authority. Rather than being restricted to designing projects on behalf of its wealthiest member states, the IOM would embody, serve, and protect the seemingly widely shared set of principles of both multilateral texts. This would allow the IOM to autonomously become in authority over the global governance of migration. Based on a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of the IOM Strategic Vision, this working paper examines the epistemic and normative argumentation that would sustain the transformation of the IOM. However, the IOM Strategic Vision is also an organisational strategy. Further research is required to examine the process of the adoption and implementation of the strategy within the IOM and the organisational change it entails.