Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits both migrants and society in general. As the United Nations Migration Agency, IOM works with its partners in the international community to assist in meeting the growing operational challenges of migration,advance understanding of migration issues,encourage social and economic development through migration, and uphold the wellbeing and human rights of migrants. The IOM constitution gives explicit recognition to the link between migration and economic, social and cultural development, as well as to the principle of freedom of movement of persons. As at the end of 2016, IOM had 166 member states, with eight countries holding observer Status.