News

On 15-17 April 2024, a delegation from Georgia, comprising representatives from state institutions and startup associations, embarked on a productive visit to Belgium to foster innovative approaches to mobility and entrepreneurship. The mission aimed to explore circular migration possibilities between the two nations, with a particular emphasis on facilitating entrepreneurial ventures.

The Annual Report takes stock of the milestones, opportunities and challenges in the past year, along with recurring issues that have surfaced to reshape the migration discourse.

Vienna, 31 July 2024 — ICMPD is growing with another member: Ireland is the 21st Member State to join ICMPD’s work in finding innovative solutions to regional migration challenges. Ireland’s accession is the latest after Germany (2020), Greece (2021), and the Netherlands (2023) joined ICMPD in recent years.

Stakeholders from various international organisations and the Government of Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration and accelerating efforts to combat human trafficking. During an event organised to commemorate World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the emphasis was placed on protecting children and upholding the rights and dignity of those most at risk of exploitation.

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. 

UNU-MERIT and Maastricht University have published a new call for scholarships to participate in the Migration Management Diploma Programme (MMDP) that will take place in Maastricht, in Spring 2025. Applications for 25 scholarships are open until 01 October 2024.

Between 16–19 September, ICMPD organised a study visit to Lithuania for the Moldovan law enforcement community, focusing on Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems. A range of experiences and lessons were shared during the visit to support Moldova in establishing a Passenger Information Unit.

The EU-funded "Integrated Border Management in the Silk Routes Countries" project, implemented by ICMPD, conducted an equipment handover ceremony at the Border Force Command in Baghdad. Subsequently, the project inaugurated the Border Force Training School in Basrah after a successful renovation. The ceremonies took place on September 17th and 18th respectively.

The European Union is strengthening the safety on Ukraine’s ‘green borders’ with new equipment for more accurate data gathering, information exchange, risk analysis, and faster dispatching of border patrols in cases of violations or security threats. ICMPD’s EU4IBM-Resilience project is supporting the country’s State Border Guard Service (SBGS) to address illegal activities, including human trafficking and cross-border crimes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The European Union Global Diaspora Facility (EUDiF) launches new opportunity for capacity development in diaspora engagement to public institutions of partner countries. Project proposals are welcome until 15 October 2024.

Online, 4 October 2024 – In a significant step towards enhancing migration research and cooperation between Europe and Africa, the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) held a joint workshop within the framework of the Continent-to-Continent Migration and Mobility Dialogue (C2CMMD), which is implemented as part of the wider EU-funded MMD Support Programme. Hosted by the European External Action Service, the event brought together representatives from different EU and AU institutions and services to explore the potential for collaboration on migration research. Hindsight, insights and foresight were the three key words of the workshop.

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Migration, and Employment (MOLMEP) in Tajikistan, has launched the Migration Media Awards 2024 to commemorate International Migrants Day on December 18. The awards aim to evaluate the objectivity and ethical standards of media coverage on migration in Tajikistan, highlighting works published between July 1, 2022, and September 30, 2024.

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) hosts its annual Vienna Migration Conference (VMC) on 22-23 October 2024. This year’s discussions take place during a pivotal election year and will feature diverse topics that are set to shape the European migration agenda. These include strategies for safer routes, handling irregular arrivals, and labour migration. The public sentiment on migration in light of socio-economic and geopolitical volatility, and ways forward to implement the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, will also be prominently discussed.

The EU-funded and ICMPD-implemented “Support to the Implementation of the Mobility Partnership with Azerbaijan (MOBILAZE 2)” project held its closure event on 18 September 2024, celebrating the achievements and progress made in Azerbaijan's migration management efforts.

On September 10, 2024, the EU-funded India-EU Cooperation and Dialogue on Migration and Mobility (CDMM) project co-implemented by ICMPD, held a Student Mobility Workshop in New Delhi, India. The workshop, focused on facilitating student mobility and understanding the ‘dichotomy’ of using educational consultants. 

As part of the European Union’s ongoing efforts towards improved reporting on migration issues and migrant safety and welfare, ICMPD hosted trainings for Iraqi journalists. 

ICMPD hosted the handover ceremonies for the next phase of the SCOP 3.1 project, in support of Moldova’s border management sector. Safety and surveillance equipment and transport facilities were formally turned over to national authorities, intended for border monitoring and coordination, preventing cross-border crime, and enhancing the operational capacity of the Border Police.

This year’s Senior Officials’ Meeting held in Chisinau on 24-25 September 2024 marked the 15th anniversary of the Prague Process. Bringing together representatives from 26 participating states, the European Commission, European Agency for Asylum, IOM, UNHCR, ICMPD and Joint Coordination Platform, the meeting allowed to jointly reflect on the achievements reached to date and the priorities and lessons learned for the future.

The Joint High-Level Meeting of the Khartoum Process and Rabat Process gathered representatives from 53 African and European partner countries, to discuss innovative pathways for labour migration, skills development, and talent mobility. On 16-17 October 2024 in Lisbon, over 150 high-level delegates exchanged strategic ways-forward on the growing importance of labour migration, skills development and talent mobility for both Africa and Europe.

On November 6, 2024, Cabo Verde marked a milestone in its commitment to combating human trafficking with the National Observatory Against Trafficking in Persons, inaugurated by the Minister of Justice and supported by the OBSERVE-CV Project. With the establishment of the Observatory, the 2023 - 2026 action plan on proactive measures to prevent trafficking, support survivors, and strengthen institutional responses will be implemented.

Three years since the Taliban took over, Afghans are now farther cut off from the rest of the world. While Afghanistan has been aid-dependent, post-Takeover sanctions slashed [aid] for the country practically overnight. Sanctions weakened the banking sector. With the de facto authorities unable to produce passports, people cannot travel – let alone seek refuge in and migrate to a different country.