News

The creation of sophisticated encryption tools is closely connected to the efforts of the armed forces and state authorities to conceal their communications and strategic documents, which are important for the functioning of the state, security system and protection of citizens. Special encryption tools are also employed in the private sector, helping to protect corporate know-how from economic espionage. However, Cryptography in the hands of criminal entities makes it more difficult for law enforcement and border authorities to detect, document and investigate serious crime related to smuggling and trafficking in human beings. 

The SUPPORT PMM Project held nine training sessions on Outreach and Community Engagement for Upscaling Türkiye’s National Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (NAVRR) Mechanism in Ankara, between 12-22 December 2022.

On 21 December 2022 in Vienna, Mr. Lukas Gehrke, the ICMPD Deputy Director General, and Director for Policy Research and Strategy, and H.E. Mr. Levent Eler, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Türkiye to the UNOV and other International Organizations in Vienna, signed a Seat Agreement between ICMPD and the Republic of Türkiye. The Seat Agreement marks a milestone in the already strong, longstanding cooperation between ICMPD and Türkiye which has further intensified after Türkiye became an ICMPD Member State in 2018.  

On 20 December, ICMPD organised a workshop for Moldovan stakeholders as part of the project “Capacity for a Rights-Based Reception System for Moldova” (CareFor) to exchange experience on risk analysis, especially in light of the country's current state of emergency. The workshop gathered representatives of various public authorities, project partners, ICMPD expert and project team.

An event dedicated to December 18, International Migrants Day, on the topic of “Migrants in Azerbaijan: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion was jointly organised by ICMPD Azerbaijan and the State Migration Service in Azerbaijan. The event brought together up to 200 employees of the State Migration Service, ICMPD Head of Region EECA and ICMPD Azerbaijan representatives, high-level representatives of international organizations, government institutions, civil society institutes operating in the migration field, the private sector, diplomatic corps members, as well as migrants.

The Inspire project team met with representatives of the German, French and local companies in Albania, Georgia, Ghana and Kenya throughout November-December 2022. This activity follows a stakeholder mapping exercise carried out in the four countries of origin to identify employers in the renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management, construction and ICT sectors that may be encouraged to participate in skills partnerships.

This year ICMPD’s Anti-Trafficking Programme (ATP) is celebrating its 20 year’s anniversary. The Programme took the opportunity to mark the occasion by reflecting on its history, milestones in its development and flagship initiatives.

The Strengthening Border Security in Ghana (SBS Ghana) Project in collaboration with Expertise France and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) organised a six-day Joint Training for Border Management and Law Enforcement Agencies in Tamale from Nov 28 – Dec 3.

On 13-14 December 2022, the 6^th Ministerial Conference of the Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development (Rabat Process) took place in Cadiz, hosted by the Kingdom of Spain, which resulted in the adoption of the Political Declaration and Cadiz Action Plan 2023-2027.

9 months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a joint ICMPD-IGC initiative examines what comes next for persons under temporary protection schemes. Between December 2022 and March 2023, a series of consultations will enable receiving countries to share their insights and plans, while ICMPD and IGC will identify lessons learned and policy options for the road ahead.

A milestone event was held in Beirut to celebrate the completion of 10 years of Integrated Border Management in Lebanon.

On 30 November 2022, the kick-off conference of the "Supporting the Institutional Capacity of the National Coordination and Joint Risk Analysis Centre (NACORAC)" Project was held in Ankara with high level participation. The project is implemented by ICMPD’s Western Balkans and Türkiye Regional Office and funded by the European Union.

On 5 December, the joint EU-ICMPD MIgration EU eXpertise Initiative (MIEUX+) released format the second annual report of the current phase launched in April 2020, as a video. The video covers the period between April 2021 and May 2022, providing highlights of several ongoing projects in Benin, Brazil, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Mauritius as well mentioning new projects, publications and engagement efforts with its 1,000-strong community of international migration practitioners.

The 5^th International Border Management Conference took place in Amman, Jordan, on 23 and 24 November 2022. The Conference was organised by ICMPD under the Patronage of the Minister of Interior of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, H.E. Mazin Abdellah Al Farrayeh.

On 7 – 9 November 2022, ICMPD organised workshops with the Libyan authorities focused on strengthening the management of consular crises abroad as well as improving communication and outreach to Libyans living abroad within the framework of the EU- and Swiss co-funded LIBMITAF project.