On 4 September, an inauguration ceremony at the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) headquarters in Islamabad celebrated the opening of a refurbished Forensic Laboratory for examining suspected forged documents and combating identity fraud, funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and new Risk Analysis Office, funded by the European Union and Ministry of Interior of Austria.

Launched in 2023 and financed by the EU, the three-year European Union Scholarships Project aims to create a lasting impact on higher education students in Türkiye by providing financial assistance for education, increasing social cohesion and access to higher education. Applications for the 2024-25 academic year are open between September 1 – October 6, 2024.

In a memorable event that echoed with recognition and gratitude, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) marked the closing of the Strengthening Border and Migration Management in Ghana (SMMIG) project funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. The Dinner and Award night took place on July 30, 2024, at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel.

On 1-2 August 2024, the African Union Commission (AUC) with the support of ICMPD, organised a consultation meeting in Zanzibar. The meeting included representatives from African Union (AU) Member States, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the private sector and civil society. The event focused on the challenges and opportunities for the ratification and implementation of the AU Free Movement of Persons (FMP) Protocol, to inform the development of an expert-led study commissioned by the AUC.

From 29-30 July, ICMPD carried out an expert support mission to Moldova to facilitate the development of the regulatory framework required for launching the national Passenger Information Unit. The unit enables Moldovan authorities to conduct passenger screening and thus contribute to the effective management of the state border according to IBM principles. 

Addressing highly complex, often invisible crimes in a targeted way also requires a highly coordinated approach. As human trafficking and the online sexual exploitation of children increasingly become lucrative enterprises for the criminal syndicates globally and even more challenging to track, the best way to tackle them begins with having the right data.