Ghana has taken a significant step forward in advancing the African Union Free Movement Protocol (AU-FMP) with renewed calls for accelerated ratification to position the country as a model for the sub-region.

The European Union (EU), the Migration Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan and International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) have launched the first Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in Uzbekistan in the framework of EU-funded project “PROTECT: Improving Migration Management and Migrant Protection in selected Silk Routes and Central Asian Countries”. The main purpose of the MRC is to expand access to services for potential migrants across the region on safe and legal migration and raise awareness on the risks of irregular migration and threats of human trafficking. This is the third MRC established in the Central Asia region.

Of the 1.2 billion young people joining the global workforce by 2030, around 450 million of them are from Africa. With their dynamic strength, creativity, and skills, these young movers are not only stakeholders in migration and labour policies now – they would also be vital architects of the future. Meanwhile, Europe undergoes profound demographic changes marked by ageing populations and growing labour shortage in essential sectors.

Launching in August 2025 and running through August 2026, the Seasonal and fair employment blueprints (SaFE) project will equip EU Member States with modular blueprints and tailored technical assistance to design or enhance seasonal worker mobility programmes for non-EU nationals. SaFE will deliver practical reference tools for the agriculture and tourism sectors, with a special focus on ethical recruitment and decent living and working conditions. By addressing critical labour shortages in these key sectors and closing policy and implementation gaps, the project promotes dignified, transparent seasonal work across the EU.

During 21-25 July, ICMPD organised a study visit to Poland for the Moldovan law enforcement community, focusing on Integrated Border Management (IBM). A range of experiences and lessons were shared during the visit to support Moldova in designing its national IBM strategy. 

ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger met with North Macedonia’s Minister of Interior Pance Toskovski and Minister of European Affairs Orhan Murtezani to discuss regional migration developments, strengthening border management, EU integration support, and the evolving European migration outlook impacted by the developments, including the Middle East.