The European Commission, partner governments, the diplomatic corps, and ICMPD marked a decade of the Migrant Resource Centres’ (MRC) work and its continuing efforts to reach potential and returning migrants globally. The event in Brussels on 14 October 2026 brought together ICMPD’s MRC counsellors, the European Commission’s Directorates-General for International Partnerships (INTPA) and Migration and Home Affairs (HOME) ICMPD and EU Member States, partner countries, donors, practitioners and civil society organisations.
Under the theme “Implementation and Impact: Reflecting on 10 Years of Migrant Resource Centres,” over 60 officials, guests, and partners reflected on 10 years of achievements, partnerships, and lessons learned; while exploring the priorities for the future of migration cooperation. The event also featured firsthand experiences from MRC counsellors in Pakistan and Iraq, demonstrating how the centres support informed migration decisions, access to services, and sustainable reintegration.
Acting-Director for Human Development, Migration, Governance and Peace in the Commission’s DG INTPA Chiara Adamo shared the EU’s perspective on how MRCs strengthen comprehensive migration partnerships: "The Migrant Resource Centres illustrate how comprehensive migration partnerships can respond to shared priorities while providing practical, people-centred support. Their continued development offers opportunities to strengthen cooperation, local capacities and sustainable migration solutions."
"For partner governments, MRCs can provide a link between migration authorities and other public services: employment, skills, education, protection and reintegration. By connecting these services, migrants receive accurate information and effective referrals through services that remain available beyond the lifetime of an individual project," emphasised Pawel Busiakiewicz, Head of Unit for Global Affairs, Africa, Middle East and Asia at the Commission’s DG HOME.
Since launching the first MRC in Pakistan in 2016, the initiative has evolved into a multi-country network providing information, counselling and practical support to migrants and returnees, including access to legal pathways and reintegration services. Currently, 13 MRCs operate across seven countries, including the Virtual MRC for Afghans, with a combined reach of more than 170 million people across Asia.
Opening the event, ICMPD's Director of the Brussels Mission Ralph Genetzke, highlighted the importance of sustained partnerships and connecting migration policy dialogue with practical cooperation: "The MRC journey demonstrates what sustained partnerships can achieve when migration policy dialogue is connected with practical services. As we look ahead, strengthening national ownership and building on the experience gained over the past decade will be essential.”
Lessons learned, regional cooperation, and future opportunities
ICMPD Deputy Director of Migration Dialogues and Cooperation Nicola Graviano moderated a panel discussion with government representatives from Iraq and Pakistan, alongside Norway, to reflect on ten years of work and the priorities for the next phase.
Dr Safaa Hussein Ahmed, Director General, Ministry of Migration and Displaced, Iraq, highlighted the role of national systems for sustainable return and reintegration. "Strengthening national institutions and connecting returnees with relevant services and opportunities are essential for sustainable reintegration. The experience of MRCs offers valuable lessons for building more coordinated and responsive support systems."
Ms Srwa Rasul, Director General of the Joint Crisis Coordination Centre at the Ministry of the Interior for the Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq, shared important milestones in the institutionalisation of the MRC approach, noting that the MRC had been formally incorporated as a unit within the government's organisational structure under the Directorate of Migration and Immigration.
"The inclusion of the MRC as a department in the Kurdistan regional government's organisational structure shows national ownership and sustainability. Beyond information and counselling, MRCs have an important role in promoting safe and legal migration pathways. We look forward to stronger partnerships with European countries to expand these opportunities for people in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq." She also stressed the role of MRCs in promoting safe and legal migration pathways and called for stronger engagement from European countries to establish and expand such opportunities in partnership with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
From Pakistan, Ms Azra Jamali, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, reflected on the role of MRCs in supporting informed migration and strengthening institutional cooperation. "The experience of MRCs in Pakistan demonstrates the importance of accessible information and counselling in supporting safe, informed and dignified migration. Building on this experience through stronger institutional ownership and links with skills and legal mobility opportunities is an important priority."
Knut Holm, Return Coordinator at the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration, also highlighted the role of MRCs as an important vehicle for translating shared priorities into practical cooperation on return and reintegration. "The MRCs serve as an important vehicle for turning shared priorities into practical action. NORAQ is an excellent example of how joint efforts, complementary expertise and strong partnerships can bring different actors together to achieve common objectives in return and reintegration,” he said, referring to Nordic Cooperation on Return and Reintegration in Iraq (NORAQ).
As ICMPD’s MRCs enter their second decade, the focus is to strengthen national ownership, expand cooperation on legal migration pathways and labour mobility, and connect national systems with broader regional and whole-of-route partnerships. With the EU as the primary donor since 2016, alongside contributions from supporting countries and partner institutions, the MRC network reflects a decade of collaboration to translate migration priorities into practical support and enabling its continued implementation to provide real impact.
Ralph Genetzke, Director of ICMPD's Brussels Mission holding the opening remarks.