News

The Strengthening Border Security in Ghana (SBS Ghana) project, funded by European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), sponsored a ten-member delegation from Ghana, Burkina Faso and Togo to participate in the first edition of the “Abidjan Border Forum” (ABF) under the theme “Borders and Collective Security” held from 18 to 20 October 2022 in Abidjan.

On 25-26.10.2022, the Anti-Trafficking Programme facilitated two meetings of the anti-trafficking stakeholders in Cabo Verde aiming at the validation of the National Strategy and Action Plan against Trafficking and at setting the next actions of the National Observatory against Human Trafficking.
 

On 4 October 2022, the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT), chaired by ICMPD, met with the European Union Anti-Trafficking Coordinator, Diane Schmitt, to exchange on policy matters and strengthen cooperation to counter conflict-related human trafficking.

On 10 November 2022, the ICMPD Director General, Michael Spindelegger, and the Ambassador Director General of the Kingdom of Morocco Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, H.E. Fouad Yazourh, signed the Seat Agreement between ICMPD and the Kingdom of Morocco.

In Ankara on 10-11 November, the NAVRR Project held an operational workshop and senior officials meeting on reintegration and post-arrival assistance delivery for the national stakeholders of Türkiye’s National Assisted Voluntary Return & Reintegration (NAVRR) Mechanism. Contributions to the workshop were made by ICMPD’s Senior AVRR Expert and Return, Readmission & Reintegration Specialist, together with the Pakistani Red Crescent Society as well as BRAC from Bangladesh and Shaqodoon from Somalia.

On 17-18 November 2022, ICMPD and SOLIDAR co-organised a SPRING workshop taking place in Brussels, Belgium, focusing on good practices in the integration of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers and improved integration outcomes through mutual learning.

On 14 September 2022, ICMPD held a workshop on the role of communities of practice and cooperation networks in contributing to more inclusive and evidence-informed integration policy and practice. The event featured a diverse range of experts and practitioners working in the field of integration.

The lack of a permanent physician has been a pressing issue at the Chisinau Migrants Accommodation Centre in the last few years. Thanks to the CareFor project, the Centre’s residents now benefit from primary medical attention.

On 17 November, ICMPD organised a workshop for Moldovan stakeholders as part of the project “Capacity for a Rights-Based Reception System for Moldova” (CareFor) to exchange experience on communicating on migration, including in times of crisis. The workshop gathered communication specialists from the project beneficiaries and partners, ICMPD experts and the project team.

Amidst the humanitarian crisis caused by the protracted war in neighbouring Ukraine, the displaced people fleeing to Moldova are in continuous need of assistance. In cooperation with the National Congress of Ukrainians in Moldova, the CareFor project supports the work of one of the Temporary Reception Centres in Chisinau.

On a three-day mission to Türkiye, from 29 November – 01 December, ICMPD’s Director General, Michael Spindelegger met with the Minister of Interior and the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Türkiye as well as numerous high-ranking representatives. He participated in NACORAC project’s kick-off conference as well as in the Budapest Annual Process Senior Officials Meeting.

The 5^th International Border Management Conference took place in Amman, Jordan, on 23 and 24 November 2022. The Conference was organised by ICMPD under the Patronage of the Minister of Interior of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, H.E. Mazin Abdellah Al Farrayeh.

On 7 – 9 November 2022, ICMPD organised workshops with the Libyan authorities focused on strengthening the management of consular crises abroad as well as improving communication and outreach to Libyans living abroad within the framework of the EU- and Swiss co-funded LIBMITAF project.

On 2 December 2022, the 31 member organisations of the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT), have issued a Call to Action urging countries, in the context of increasing crises, to put in place effective responses and increase cooperation to combat this crime.

9 months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a joint ICMPD-IGC initiative examines what comes next for persons under temporary protection schemes. Between December 2022 and March 2023, a series of consultations will enable receiving countries to share their insights and plans, while ICMPD and IGC will identify lessons learned and policy options for the road ahead.

A milestone event was held in Beirut to celebrate the completion of 10 years of Integrated Border Management in Lebanon.

On 5 December, the joint EU-ICMPD MIgration EU eXpertise Initiative (MIEUX+) released format the second annual report of the current phase launched in April 2020, as a video. The video covers the period between April 2021 and May 2022, providing highlights of several ongoing projects in Benin, Brazil, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Mauritius as well mentioning new projects, publications and engagement efforts with its 1,000-strong community of international migration practitioners.

On 30 November 2022, the kick-off conference of the "Supporting the Institutional Capacity of the National Coordination and Joint Risk Analysis Centre (NACORAC)" Project was held in Ankara with high level participation. The project is implemented by ICMPD’s Western Balkans and Türkiye Regional Office and funded by the European Union.

The Strengthening Border Security in Ghana (SBS Ghana) Project in collaboration with Expertise France and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) organised a six-day Joint Training for Border Management and Law Enforcement Agencies in Tamale from Nov 28 – Dec 3.

The European Union in Ghana within the framework of the SBS Ghana project has donated five motor bikes and other security equipment to the Ghana Immigration Service to fight human trafficking and strengthen security surveillance at Ghana's borders. This will support GIS in its effort to ensure greater security for citizens and visitors, while guaranteeing the respect for the rule of law and human rights standards by border management authorities.

On 13-14 December 2022, the 6^th Ministerial Conference of the Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development (Rabat Process) took place in Cadiz, hosted by the Kingdom of Spain, which resulted in the adoption of the Political Declaration and Cadiz Action Plan 2023-2027.

An event dedicated to December 18, International Migrants Day, on the topic of “Migrants in Azerbaijan: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion was jointly organised by ICMPD Azerbaijan and the State Migration Service in Azerbaijan. The event brought together up to 200 employees of the State Migration Service, ICMPD Head of Region EECA and ICMPD Azerbaijan representatives, high-level representatives of international organizations, government institutions, civil society institutes operating in the migration field, the private sector, diplomatic corps members, as well as migrants.

The Inspire project team met with representatives of the German, French and local companies in Albania, Georgia, Ghana and Kenya throughout November-December 2022. This activity follows a stakeholder mapping exercise carried out in the four countries of origin to identify employers in the renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management, construction and ICT sectors that may be encouraged to participate in skills partnerships.

This year ICMPD’s Anti-Trafficking Programme (ATP) is celebrating its 20 year’s anniversary. The Programme took the opportunity to mark the occasion by reflecting on its history, milestones in its development and flagship initiatives.

On 20 December, ICMPD organised a workshop for Moldovan stakeholders as part of the project “Capacity for a Rights-Based Reception System for Moldova” (CareFor) to exchange experience on risk analysis, especially in light of the country's current state of emergency. The workshop gathered representatives of various public authorities, project partners, ICMPD expert and project team.