The 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, took place on 11-13 April in Antalya. With the theme “Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World,” this year’s Forum gathered more than 6,000 participants including 21 Heads of State and Government, and 64 Ministers from 155 countries.
ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger joined the high-level panel discussion on Forced Displacement and International Responsibility, moderated by Enda Brady of TRT World. The panel convened key voices on migration policy, including Touhid Hossain, Advisor to the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, and Prof. Dr. Murat Yeşiltaş, Director of Foreign Policy Research at the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA).
Criminal networks behind human trafficking are no longer conventional mafias, but many different, tiny enterprises. This makes traditional enforcement methods less effective. We need comprehensive strategies that combine law enforcement with local engagement.Mr Spindelegger said of the evolving nature of cross-border crimes
He also highlighted ICMPD’s support to establishing Migration Resource Centres in countries of origin. “Our MRCs give potential migrants not just objective information about the migration process; we also give them a realistic picture what they have to expect,” he said, adding that many migrants decide against the journey after learning “they run the risk of being returned at the end with nothing in their pocket.”
Mr Spindelegger also stressed the need for expanded legal migration options and reintegration measures to “put the ground under these smugglers and traffickers away.”
Speaking on the European Union’s role in addressing migration challenges, Mr Spindelegger expressed optimism about the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, calling it “a new mechanism that is agreed by everybody,” and noting its potential to reshape perspectives on solidarity and burden-sharing. He pointed to ICMPD’s commitment to fostering regional cooperation, announcing plans to work with the Government of Türkiye to establish an International Migration Cooperation Centre: “If you cannot do it on the global level, then you have to try to do it on the regional level.”
Addressing the Forum’s broader diplomatic theme, Mr Spindelegger underscored the critical role of dialogue and mutual understanding in shaping effective migration governance. “Dialogue as a precondition to everything is needed,” he said. “To understand the other side, to go forward, to, of course, recognise what the partners are in need for.” He emphasised that meaningful partnerships with countries of origin are essential—not only to serve international expectations, but also to empower these countries to “take control over their own issues.”
In his concluding remarks, Mr Spindelegger highlighted the bridging role of international organisations like ICMPD in connecting governments and societies.
This is the time to get to more dialogue, more partnership, more agreements between the states along [the] routes. We need practical and adaptable approaches to migration governance through pilot projects. And I'm always very much in favour of starting pilot projects. At ICMPD we are very committed in bridging governments and their communities.Mr Spindelegger said in his concluding remarks, calling for stronger regional dialogue and cooperation
Panel discussion on Forced Displacement and International Responsibility: (left-right) Enda Brady (TRT World), Md. Touhid Hossain (Advisor, People's Republic of Bangladesh), Michael Spindelegger (Director General, ICMPD), Murat Yesiltas (Director of Foreign Policy Research, Foundation for Political Economic and Social Research)