The high-level engagement of AFRIPOL with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Today, the AFRIPOL Secretariat, led by the A.g. Executive Director of AFRIPOL Amb. Jalel Chelba, conducted a high-level engagement with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) at its offices in Algeria, following an invitation from IOM Chief of Mission Lalini Veerassamy.

The meeting commenced with a closed-door bilateral session between the two heads of organizations to explore strategic areas of cooperation, particularly in countering migrant smuggling and strengthening law enforcement capacities to combat human trafficking. Discussions focused on enhancing intelligence-led coordination, operational support mechanisms, and capacity development initiatives aimed at addressing transnational organized crime networks exploiting migration routes.

The engagement proceeded with the AFRIPOL delegation participating in an onsite webinar led by Donato Colucci, Head of IOM’s Border and Identity Solutions (BIS) Unit. During the session, Mr. Colucci delivered a live demonstration of the Document Examination Support Centre (DESC) solution, outlining its technical capabilities and its potential to support frontline law enforcement authorities in strengthening border management, identity verification, and fraud detection.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of AFRIPOL and IOM to enhance operational cooperation, promote technology-driven solutions, and strengthen continental efforts to combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking through coordinated, intelligence-based approaches.