Damien Thuriaux

IOM Chief of Mission; migration, border governance and policy leader

damien-thuriaux

Berlin, Germany

Joined May 2026

germany.iom.int

iom.int

linkedin.com

Summary

Experienced IOM field leader across multiple regions, with repeated Chief of Mission appointments that combine operational management and emergency response. iom+2

Technical and policy expertise in border management, returns/readmission and migration information systems, leading units and global engagement on these topics at IOM Headquarters. iom+2

Committed to capacity-building and practical system deployment, including regional training initiatives (e.g., ACBC) and country-level MIDAS implementations to strengthen migration governance. iom+1

Advocates for evidence-based, multilateral approaches to migration that balance humanitarian response, rights protection and the development potential of migration. iom+1

Damien Thuriaux

Summary

Work

Education

Projects

Damien Thuriaux

Summary

Work

Chief of Mission, IOM GermanyIOM - UN Migration (IOM Germany)2025–Present

Head, Immigration and Border Governance / Border Management, Returns and Readmission DivisionIOM - UN Migration (IOM Headquarters, Geneva)2021–2025

Head of Unit, Border and Identity SolutionsIOM - UN Migration (Immigration & Border Management Division)2018–2021

Chief of Mission, IOM QuitoInternational Organization for Migration (IOM) Ecuador2015–2018

Chief of Mission, IOM TanzaniaInternational Organization for Migration (IOM) Tanzania2011–2015

Education

MPhil, Development StudiesInstitute of Development Studies (University of Sussex)1998–2000

Licence, Relations InternationalesUniversité catholique de Louvain1992–1997

University of Konstanz1996–1997

Projects

MIDAS (Migration Information and Data Analysis System) implementation & training2018–2018