News

On 01 - 03 March 2024, Mr. Michael Spindelegger attended the 3rd Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) in Türkiye organised by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Forum 2024 was inaugurated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the President of Türkiye. It brought together over 4,700 participants from 148 countries to discuss pressing global issues under the theme "Think Together, Act Together." 

Marking two years of war, of resilience and resistance, of support by the EU public, and of institutional support through the Temporary Protection Directive, ICMPD hosted two events focusing on two critical topics: the recovery of Ukraine and the future for people under temporary protection. These events provided an important opportunity to commemorate, take stock, and look ahead, in conjunction with the Mission of Ukraine, with a focus on what can come after temporary protection and how Ukraine’s human capital can contribute to the recovery of the country. 

International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) in the framework of the EU-funded project “Strengthening the Partnership between Belgium and Georgia through Temporary Mobility of Entrepreneurs (Entrepreneurial Mobility Link” (EMLINK) is launching the call for start-ups! 

On February 20, the Inspire Project concluded its two-year implementation with a closing event in Brussels, organised by ICMPD. Seventy-two participants (online and in-person) were brought together to reflect on the journey and accomplishments, including representatives from the public and private sectors of Inspire's focus countries, national and international organisations, migration specialists, and the European Commission.

The European Union Scholarships Project launches in collaboration with ICMPD, Ankara University, Hasan Kalyoncu University, and the Marmara Municipalities Union. The initiative aims to foster higher education access and bolster employment pathways for students under temporary protection (SuTPs), international protection (IPs), and Turkish citizens. 

On 19-23 February, Moldova hosted a border assessment exercise carried out by ICMPD experts within the framework of SCOP 3.1 project. The purpose was to take stock of current infrastructure, equipment, and training needs along Integrated Border Management (IBM) key areas. 

On 22-23 February 2024, the NAVRR project organised a dynamic workshop on the establishment of the Community Engagement Programme, in a collaborative effort between ICMPD and the Presidency of Migration Management. The event brought together key stakeholders including representatives from the Presidency of Migration Management, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, the Turkish Red Crescent, and local NGOs.

On 13-15 December 2023, a Moot Court Competition on Trafficking in Human Beings took place in a collaborative effort between the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), the Ministry of Justice of Georgia, and the Training Centre of Justice of Georgia. The event, held within the framework of the EU-funded STREAMinG Phase 2 project, aimed to raise awareness on the critical issue of human trafficking. 

On 23 January 2024, the final step of the scheme development and design process took place, with the Inspire project bringing together Ghanaian government officials, employment agencies, as well as representatives of the German Embassy and the Ghana-European Centre in Ghana and experts. The Inspire project facilitated a workshop to thoroughly discuss and validate the outcome of more than a year-long consultations.

On 1 February 2024, Morocco handed over the Chairmanship of the Rabat Process to Portugal at a Senior Officials Meeting held in Rabat. Portugal will chair the migration dialogue for one year and prioritise specific areas of the Dialogue’s current action plan.

On 31 January 2024, the Migrant Information and Orientation Desk was inaugurated within the framework of the European Union-funded project "Mediterranean City-to-City Migration - Reinforcing Urban Capacity Partnerships ” (MC2CM-RUCP), implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD). 

On 26 January, ICMPD held the Steering Group meeting of the SCOP 3.1 project. The purpose of the event was to take stock of the project's progress, agree on the work plan for its successful completion, and exchange ideas on possible ways forward beyond the project life cycle. 

On 24 January 2024, Greece and ICMPD jointly organised a high-level event titled “A holistic approach for balanced migration partnerships” in Brussels. The event marked the handover of the Chairmanship of ICMPD’s Steering Group from Türkiye to Greece with speeches by Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı, Permanent Delegate of Türkiye to the EU, and Ambassador Ioannis Vrailas, Permanent Representative of Greece to the EU. Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dimitrios Kairidis, Minister for Migration and Asylum of Greece, and ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger participated in the panel discussion moderated by ICMPD’s Brussels Mission Director Ralph Genetzke. Vice-President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas delivered closing remarks.

Libya’s Migration Technical Assistance Facility (LIBMITAF) marks the successful conclusion of its project, implemented from 2021 to 2023 with financial support from the European Union (EU) and the Swiss Confederation. Throughout the project duration, LIBMITAF supported Libyan institutions in various areas of migration governance. As the project concludes, it is time to reflect on the achievements with our Libyan partners.

In a year full of European, national, and regional elections, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) expects migration to be a pivotal topic. While many governments implement quick fixes ahead of their electoral cycles, opposition parties are tying their campaigns to migration-related promises. ICMPD’s 2024 Migration Outlook report forecasts record displacement levels resulting from war and conflict, leading to a further securitization of migration and offshoring of asylum procedures, as well as a rise in secondary movements. These developments are taking place while labour migration is ‘coming of age’ in Europe.