The 81st Session of the Council of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which convened on June 7 in Geneva, Switzerland, agreed to accept China as an IOM observer state, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The IOM, an international intergovernmental organization for handling migrants' affairs, has 86 member states, 41 observer states and one international organization as an observer so far.
The Geneva-based IOM grew out of the Provisional Inter-Governmental Committee for the Movement of Migrants from Europe set up in 1951. It changed its name in 1989.
The IOM's purpose is to assist concerned countries to make arrangements for migrants systematically; provide migrants with services under reached agreements at the request of relevant countries; at the request of relevant countries or in cooperation with other international organizations, provide repatriation or similar services for migrants in accordance with their own will; offer a forum for states or international organizations to exchange views and experiences; promote cooperation and coordination in the field of international migration; and conduct studies on related issues.
(Xinhua 06/09/2001)
