The Lebanese Republic has signed a Host Country Agreement with ICMPD, providing a formal framework for longer-term engagement in the country. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, at his meeting with ICMPD Director General Susanne Raab, welcomed the agreement and the opportunities it creates for expanding ICMPD's support to Lebanon; which includes strengthened cooperation with national authorities on migration governance, border management, and institutional capacity development.
The agreement was signed on 2 November 2026 between Ms Raab and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants HE Youssef Raggi in Beirut, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The signing establishes the legal and institutional status of ICMPD's representation in Lebanon; and provides a stronger foundation for developing and implementing programmes in close cooperation with Lebanese institutions.
Ms Raab reaffirmed ICMPD's commitment to supporting Lebanon and strengthening its institutional capacities. At her meeting with Deputy Prime Minister HE Tarek Mitri, Ms Raab exchanged views on Lebanon's migration and displacement challenges, and the importance of coordination between national institutions and the potential contribution of improved migration information management and technical cooperation to Lebanon's priorities.
Ms Raab also met with Minister of Interior and Municipalities HE Ahmad al-Hajjar, Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, and Director General of General Security Major General Hassan Choucair. The meetings reviewed existing cooperation and explored further support for Lebanese institutions, particularly through specialised training, institutional development, border management, and technical assistance.
Throughout the two-day visit, Ms Raab emphasised ICMPD's commitment to build on the capacities already developed with Lebanese partners; highlighting the importance of national ownership, sustainable institutional development, and cooperation that responds to Lebanon's priorities while integrating human rights and protection considerations.
ICMPD has been cooperating with Lebanon since 2002, building long-standing partnerships with various national institutions through programmes supported by the European Union, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland and Sweden. These programmes have contributed to the development of Lebanon's rights-based and gender-responsive migration and integrated border management strategy, the Integrated Maritime Strategy, professional training capacities, document security and border management infrastructure.
ICMPD has been cooperating with Lebanon since 2002, building long-standing partnerships with various national institutions through programmes supported by the European Union, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland and Sweden. Current cooperation includes the Denmark-funded Central Migration Data Management Solution, which supports migration information management and institutional coordination; The Netherlands Assistance to Lebanese Border Agencies (IBM); and the Sweden-funded Strengthening Rights-Based Migration and Border Management in Lebanon (SIBMAP), focusing on rights-based and gender-responsive migration and border management.
