ICMPD Migration Outlook 2025

ICMPD’s Migration Outlook presents a brief analysis of recent migration and policy trends and provides an outlook on developments and events to watch out for. In the 2025 edition, you will find the ten most pressing issues to look out for this year, as well as origins, key events and trends in migration policy.

ICMPD opens Migrant Resource Centre in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region of Iraq

ICMPD has opened a new Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in Sulaymaniyah, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I). The MRC promotes safe and regular migration processes for prospective migrants, combat trafficking and people-smuggling through raising awareness, pre-departure counselling for emigrants, post-arrival briefings to migrant workers, and re-integration support for returnees and internally displaced populations.

Featured Publication of the Month

A policy brief based on research from the Measuring Irregular Migration (MIrreM) project, suggests there has been no definitive change in the number and share of irregular migrant population in Europe since the estimates made in the Clandestino Project in 2008.

Vienna Migration Conference 2024: 5 takeaways on migration governance in a shifting geopolitical landscape

Reflecting on the conference discussions, the 5 takeaways shine a spotlight on the route-based approach, migration diplomacy, labour migration, the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, and external processing.

News

Training on irregular migration, migrant smuggling, and human trafficking in Erbil, Iraq

14 February 2025

Iraq

On 11 February 2025, a two-day training on Irregular Migration, Migrant Smuggling, and Human Trafficking was successfully conducted in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, implemented under the NORAQ cooperation framework. This capacity-building initiative was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), in the scope of projects “Migration Awareness, Access to Reintegration, and Strengthening Capacities in Iraq (MAARC)” and “Sweden-Iraq Cooperation on Migration Governance (SICOM)”.

ICMPD efforts led to 16% increase in preventing irregular migration from Pakistan – FIA Report

06 February 2025

Pakistan

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of Pakistan has reported a 16% increase in the prevention of irregular migration attempts from the country in 2024, based on new border management systems developed with the support of ICMPD and international donors.

Nigeria to chair Rabat Process in 2025; following success of Portugal as 2024 chair

04 February 2025

Portugal, Nigeria

High-level representatives from 45 partner countries and international organisations met in Portugal on 29-30 January 2025 to culminate the country’s Chairmanship of the Rabat Process, and hand the Chairmanship over to Nigeria for 2025. Portugal is the second country to chair the Dialogue since the adoption of the current multi-annual strategic framework, the Cadiz Action Plan 2023-2027.

ICMPD Director General meets Ukraine Vice Prime Minister to discuss further cooperation

03 February 2025

ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger met with Ukraine Vice Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, to discuss the newly established Ministry of Unity that he will lead as Minister, as well as ongoing cooperation on border management and supporting the needs for the return and reintegration of Ukrainians.

Strengthening Border Security Project concludes progressing regional security in West Africa

30 January 2025

Ghana

The Strengthening Border Security (SBS) project in Ghana has successfully concluded, marking a major step in enhancing national and regional border security. Funded by the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa and implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) in collaboration with the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), the initiative has advanced Ghana’s border management capabilities, contributing to improved security across West Africa.

Renewed Joint Valletta Action Plan (JVAP) Follow-up: Stocktaking, enhancement, and next steps

27 January 2025

As of 2025, JVAP Follow-up has entered a new phase with the launch of an updated website and a revamped data collection platform. This marks a significant milestone for collaboration and transparency in addressing migration among African and European partners.