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In August 2021, the radical Taliban movement took control of almost the entire territory of Afghanistan. Fearing for their lives, many Afghan citizens want to flee the country. The prospect of a migrant influx from Afghanistan greatly concerns the Central Asian countries, since radical Islamists may also cross the border along with the displaced population. To effectively counter and be prepared for different scenarios, the Central Asian countries have been strengthening their borders and enlisting the support of fellow member states of regional associations, such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). This publication describes the situation in Afghanistan and the related policies of the Central Asian countries in terms of possible forced displacements.

This Policy Brief will focus on one of the widely recognized global processes: the decline of human populations. Rapid population growth accompanied development during the second half of the previous century. Demographic decline or the potential for decline will underlie development over the first half of the present century. This Policy Brief will draw attention to some of the inherent tensions created by this process and specifically its linkages with migration, both internal and international. It will flag up the overall demographic trends across the Prague Process countries, identify differences across the countries, and highlight policy issues that will need to be addressed.

This second collection of publications produced within the Prague Process Migration Observatory covers the period 2019-2020. It aims to inform migration decision-makers, specialists, scientists, academics and the interested public about ongoing migration trends and policy developments across the Prague Process region. The COVID-19 pandemic has limited the possibilities of travelling, meeting each other and socializing, all of which had been essential to make this intergovernmental dialogue a living organism. The unprecedented circumstances encouraged us to explore new possibilities and approaches, moving our work to the world of virtual meetings, online webinars and development of e-learning tools. The authors featured in this book are state representatives, academic experts or other specialists. Their contributions aim at raising awareness concerning a wide range of migration phenomena that affect people’s lives or even societies as a whole. The collected publications shall inform the interested reader and possibly inspire new ideas and initiatives for the future.

On 20 September 2021, ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger opened the “High-Level Dialogue on Renewed partnerships and migration governance” 

This report is the first of a series of studies produced under the ‘Strengthening Capability for Integrated Border Management in Lebanon’ (EU-IBM III) project funded by the European Union. The purpose of the report is to have a better understanding on the conflict issues and dynamics in the border areas of the Northern and Eastern Governorates in Lebanon to inform further assistance to border communities.

Developed by Dr. Michel Douaihy (researcher) and peer reviewed by Rania Skaine, ICMPD Border Management and Security (BMS) Program expert

This report draws on recent scholarly advances to better specify what narratives are and to explain variation in their popularity before considering how their effects on immigration policy preferences varies. The study then considers the popularity of eight simple migration narratives — four positive, four negative — in eight countries across the Euro-Mediterranean region today using recent World Values Survey data. Finally, the extent to which belief in each of these narratives affects one’s preferred immigration policy is tested.

Discussions on how to increase the number of returns (including voluntary ones), while conducting them in a humane way, and achieving sustainable reintegration are high on the agenda of  both Turkey and the European Union (EU). In April 2021, the European Commission took a step toward with the creation of a common EU return system, releasing its first Strategy on Voluntary Return and Reintegration. This Strategy aims to increase the number of voluntary returns, but also to improve EU Member States’ coordination on their respective Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programmes and make reintegration in origin countries more sustainable. To achieve these objectives, the EU needs to secure cooperation with countries of origin and transit, such as Turkey. Voluntary return and reintegration may be one area where there are tangible opportunities for Turkey and EU/EU Member States to build on some converging goals.