São Paulo – IOM, the UN Migration Agency, and the Municipal Secretariat of Human Rights and Citizenship (SMDHC, in Portuguese) formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), on September 25. The document was signed by IOM Brazil’s Chief of Mission, Paolo Giuseppe Caputo, and the SMDHC Secretary, Soninha Francine. 

“SMDHC's greatest strength is its ability to collaborate through partnerships, with IOM being one of our most valued allies. We have successfully completed several projects together and are eager to continue contributing to migration issues, whether by providing direct support to migrants or by raising awareness across society to foster understanding and inclusion," emphasized Soninha Francine. 

The Memorandum of Understanding aims to strengthen cooperation between IOM and SMDHC on matters of mutual interest, such as supporting the public service network for migrants, exchanging best practices, producing and disseminating information for and about this population, and discussing joint awareness campaigns on migration issues and related themes. 

"Strengthening local governments and their migration governance structures is crucial for promoting and safeguarding migrants' rights in São Paulo. "This agreement marks a significant milestone in the relationship between IOM and the São Paulo municipality, further deepening this long-standing and increasingly productive partnership," stated Paolo G. Caputo. 

Representatives from IOM and SMDHC also visited the Centro de Referência e Atendimento para os Imigrantes – CRAI Oriana Jara (Reference and Service Center for Migrants) to discuss services provided to migrants and to plan joint activities. These activities will include educational initiatives, conferences, seminars, workshops, as well as the exchange of publications, articles, and other relevant information. 

IOM has partnered with the City of São Paulo since 2019, offering technical support in the development of public policies for the city. Notable contributions include assistance at the 2nd Municipal Conference on Policies for Immigrants (2019), the Municipal Plan for Policies for Immigrants (2021), and more recently, the Free Local Conference on Immigrant Policies (2024). 

IOM also serves as an observer member of the Municipal Council of Immigrants of São Paulo, the first collegiate body of its kind in the country. The organization is actively involved in City Hall working groups focused on immigrant entrepreneurship, as well as initiatives aimed at preventing xenophobia, training public servants, and developing joint informational materials.