Athens – The International Organization for Migration welcomes Sanja Celebic Lukovac as the new Chief of Mission in Greece. 

Ms. Sanja Celebic Lukovac previously served as Chief of Mission in Georgia from July 2018 until August 2024.  

She has been with the IOM since 1998 and has acquired extensive experience in migration issues and IOM’s programme implementation.  

She also served in IOM Mission in Iraq as Head of Programme Development and Support Unit and Donors Liaison Officer. Prior to that, she worked in the Regional Liaison and Co-ordination Office to the European Union as Liaison and Project Development Officer covering Northern Africa and Middle East, Western Balkans and Turkey. 

“I am honored to lead one of the biggest IOM Missions in Europe. Greece is at the forefront of migration management among EU countries and has provided a comprehensive network of services to migrants and people in need, especially over the last decade”, Sanja Celebic Lukovac said. 

“I look forward to working together with the Greek authorities and our partners in the field, continuing the great and long-standing relationship between IOM and the Greek Government”, she added. 

IOM Greece would like to thank Gianluca Rocco, who served as Chief of Mission from November 2017 until August 2024. During Rocco’s term, IOM Greece became one of the biggest missions worldwide and developed a wide range of activities including life-saving protection and health, mental health support, and pathways for regular migration, integration, relocation, and voluntary returns. 

“Leading the IOM Mission in Greece for the past seven years presented itself as an immense responsibility but also a significant opportunity. The dedicated IOM team has consistently been at the forefront alongside the Greek Government and stakeholders, striving to assist countless migrants requiring support. Given the complexity of human mobility today, continuing solid cooperation between Greece and IOM is increasingly vital, with a clear vision directed towards strong integrated and all-encompassing approaches at every level”, Gianluca Rocco mentioned. 

In July 2024, IOM signed the new Host Country Agreement with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs that will strengthen the cooperation between IOM and Greece and will allow the Organization to continue supporting migrants in need and working to achieve safe and regular migration to protect the dignity of people on the move.   

Greece is one of the founding members of IOM and since 1952 the Organization has been a longstanding partner of the Government of Greece in ensuring the orderly and humane management of migration, promoting international cooperation and providing humanitarian assistance to migrants and people in need.