TEHRAN –Iran's ambassador to Austria, Abbas Baqerpour, met the director general of the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), Michael Spindelegger, to discuss bilateral cooperation.

The officials also reviewed interactions between Iran and ICMPD and the latest developments at the international level.

In a post on X, Baqerpour called the meeting fruitful and friendly, ISNA reported on Wednesday.

Refugees in Iran

Iran’s support for refugees is demonstrated through its inclusive policies, which encompass protection, assistance, education, and healthcare, inspiring the global community and positively impacting the lives of refugees.

As the second-largest refugee-hosting country, Iran is currently host to one of the largest and most protracted refugee populations in the world, the majority of whom are Afghan refugees.

The country is home to over 800,000 registered refugees and some 2.6 million undocumented Afghans.

Currently, more than 500,000 Afghan children are benefitting from Iran’s inclusive education policies, one of the most progressive in the world.

In total, Iran hosts some 4.5 million Afghans of varying status – including resident permit holders, undocumented Afghans, and family passport holders – many of whom have been in the country for an extended period and require support to strengthen their resilience.

Iran’s generous and exceptional services for refugees despite unfair economic sanctions have exceeded expectations and international responsibilities.

ICMPD

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) is an international organization, with 20 Member States and working in more than 90 countries worldwide. Contributing to the development of better and safer migration policies and programs, ICMPD takes a holistic approach to migration: structurally linking policy and research, cooperation, community outreach, and capacity development.

With over 500 staff members, it takes a regional approach in its work towards efficient cooperation and partnerships along key migration routes, with a focus on Africa, Central and South Asia, Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East.

Founded in 1993 with headquarters in Vienna and a liaison office in Brussels, ICMPD holds UN observer status and cooperates with more than 200 partners including EU institutions, UN agencies, Member States, and several countries.