ICMPD Director General Susanne Raab met with Poland’s Secretary of State, Mr Czesław Mroczek, on 27 January 2026 in Warsaw. The meetings focused on current national and regional migration dynamics, including external EU border and security-linked pressures; the situation of Ukrainians in Poland; and ways to elevate ICMPD–Poland cooperation. This was also Ms Raab’s first visit to an ICMPD Member State, since assuming office as new Director General this month.
These discussions with ICMPD Member States are of strategic importance. We appreciate our strong partnership with Poland – particularly as they have assumed the Chairmanship of the ICMPD Steering Group this year. Our discussions could not have been more timely. We addressed important areas, such as country- and EU-level priorities in addressing irregular migration, making return and reintegration safe and sustainable, and integration of Ukrainian refugees into the Polish labour market.Ms Raab said
State Secretary Mroczek and Director General Raab also exchanged updates on ongoing ICMPD efforts that Poland has been actively supporting – including the Migration Capacity Partnerships in the Silk Routes, the DOCSEC Senegal in West Africa, and the global EU-MIDCAP project.
The visit to Warsaw also provided an opportunity to meet with Mr Maciej Duszczyk, Senior Advisor on Migration, to discuss the priorities of the Prime Minister’s Office on migration, security, and the country’s positioning at the EU level, as well as the recent policy developments in temporary protection. Ms Raab stressed that ICMPD will focus on sustainable return, rights-compliant border management, strong national ownership in partner countries; and continue to develop innovative solutions beyond the EU Pact.
Poland has a leading role regarding temporary protection for Ukrainians and has been implementing unique measures for achieving a new status beyond temporary protection. Poland has substantial experience in managing displacement and crisis-driven migration, thus bringing valuable operational, policy, and political perspectives.
Poland has been an active and engaged ICMPD Member State since 2004 and is increasingly broadening its engagement beyond its traditional geographical focus; reflecting a growing interest in cooperation on migration with ICMPD in Africa or in the Silk Routes. This approach aligns well with ICMPD’s expanded strategic outlook under ICMPD’s Strategy 2030 and its emphasis on supporting its Member States in diversified, forward-looking cooperation frameworks. It has also been actively involved in two vital migration dialogues – the Budapest Process and Prague Process.
As the EU debates have moved towards implementing innovative solutions that ensure firm, lawful state control along migration routes, ICMPD stands ready to support Poland and [EU] partners with practical, security-aware and legally robust models. We have been doing this in our projects, from the early design to the piloting and implementation, across whole-of-route engagement, effective returns, and credible partnerships.Ms Raab concluded
