News 19 January 2026 IOM Brings Business, Migration and Growth Together at World Economic Forum

Davos, 19 January 2026 - The Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope, joins global leaders at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting 2026 themed "A Spirit of Dialogue." Held in Davos, the meeting will address five critical challenges: cooperation in a contested world, unlocking new sources of growth, investing in people, deploying innovation responsibly at scale, and building prosperity within planetary boundaries.

As a leading voice on migration and development, IOM will showcase how well-managed mobility can turn migration from a challenge into an opportunity for economic growth and stability. By advancing evidence-based approaches that promote self-reliance, lasting solutions to displacement, and climate-smart housing, land, and property rights, IOM aims to reduce long-term dependence on humanitarian aid and support inclusive prosperity.

"Migration is one of the most powerful drivers of development when managed responsibly," said DG Pope. "At Davos, we will show how mobility can unlock economic potential, help communities thrive independently, and provide lasting solutions to displacement, while respecting national sovereignty and human rights."

IOM's engagement at Davos also highlights the growing role of the private sector in driving practical solutions. Partnerships, including with the Novo Nordisk Foundation, are helping IOM use artificial intelligence and data to improve health screening, migration planning, and labour market policies, while a decade-long partnership with Apple supports fair recruitment and high standards for working conditions in global supply chains.

The Organization will also showcase programmes that help migrants move beyond aid by providing vocational training, supporting entrepreneurship, and enabling reintegration into local economies. Collaborations with Revolut and the Robert Bosch Stiftung are expanding digital fundraising and amplifying the voice of migrant and diaspora communities in shaping labour mobility and economic opportunities.

Another key focus is creating lasting solutions for displacement, including climate-smart and sustainable recovery. Working with partners such as Innovation Norway, IOM is piloting diaspora-backed shelter solutions, renewable energy access, circular economy models and green livelihoods for displaced communities, supporting adaptation to climate change and helping people rebuild their lives.

IOM will also highlight the role of diaspora communities as investors and innovators driving inclusive growth. By using remittances and diaspora capital to support business creation and digital financial access, IOM aims to open new markets and create jobs, while helping communities become more self-reliant.

At Davos, DG Pope is participating in high-level panels and dialogues on growth, innovation, and sustainable development, while hosting targeted events with global leaders, investors, and philanthropies to advance partnerships that link migration to economic opportunity. Bilateral meetings will focus on securing commitments for self-reliance funding, property restitution, and mobility initiatives that benefit communities and create shared prosperity.

Through these efforts, IOM positions itself as a trusted partner for governments, businesses, and philanthropies in designing migration strategies that promote self-reliance, provide lasting solutions for displaced people, and drive economic growth - reframing migration as a source of opportunity and development.

For more information, please visit IOM's Media Centre.