The GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum 2022 focuses on the essential challenges of today’s divided world and takes place on 2 – 4 June 2022. On this occasion, ICMPD’s Director General Michael Spindelegger points out the link between the war in Ukraine, wheat supply and possible migration movements.
This year's conference brings together influential political representatives, economic experts, NGO experts, heads of international organizations, thinkers and innovators. They are searching for answers to key questions of today through 3 thematical pillars: Mobilise Support & Action for Ukraine and Broader European Neighbourhood, Mobilise Resources of the West to Strengthen Resilience at Home and Mobilise Global Coalitions to Defend Democracy. These serve to answer the most important question: How can we make our democracies more resilient and better able to counter authoritarian regimes in a divided world?
Among other things, ICMPD Director General focuses on the wheat shortage and explains how this is linked to a change in migration. In his remarks, he stresses the soring prices as well as the pressure put on national supply programmes due to the disruptions and gives an example of possible consequences: “Although the numbers are still low Egyptian nationals lead apprehensions along the Central Mediterranean Migration Route for the first time ever. This might be an early indicator for what to expect when the food supply situation worsens in North Africa.”
He is part of the panel "The Silent Challenge: Managing Migration in Europe and Beyond" together with Nina Gregori, Executive Director EASO, and Ottilia Anna Maunganidze from the Institute for Security Studies.
The GLOBSEC 2022 Bratislava Forum is the most important international strategic conference on the frontlines of the new divided world. The Forum will serve as a platform for CEE countries to call for action of the West and its democratic partners across the globe. By gathering stakeholders from all walks of life, the conference will remind the world that the Central and Eastern Europe region matters more than ever before.