On 4 and 5 June, ICMPD Member States met in Athens for the 82nd ICMPD Steering Group, under the auspices of the Minister of Migration and Asylum of Greece, Dimitris Kairidis.
In the course of the two-day meeting, Member States placed a special focus on the coming implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and the importance of strong cooperation in the external dimension, including sustainable return and reintegration. The meeting highlighted the role of a cooperation framework to ensure the overall successful implementation of the EU Pact, emphasising the role of ICMPD in reaching these goals.
Ahead of the 82nd Steering Group meeting, Greece as the 2024 Chair of the ICMPD Steering Group hosted a meeting that brought together ICMPD Member States and representatives of Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia to explore a possible closer cooperation framework. To set the scene, discussions included strategic exchanges on migration dynamics and policy objectives in the region and priorities.
The Steering Group is ICMPD’s highest decision-making authority, which convenes twice per year with the presence of ICMPD’s Member States to discuss institutional strategic developments, current migration dynamics, and pressing migration priorities in line with Member States’ priorities. Member States of ICMPD rotate in taking on the annual chairmanship of the Steering Group.
Greece as the 2024 chair put forward a comprehensive programme for the year under a dedicated theme focusing on “A holistic approach for balanced migration partnerships”, to which the meetings in Athens were fully aligned. Next year, the Steering Group will be chaired by Sweden.