On 26 November 2024, the European Commission launched a new programme to support a Talent Partnership between the EU and Pakistan. The programme, that is funded with EUR 3 million from the EU, will enable the EU, its Member States, and Pakistan to develop a coherent set of actions on labour mobility and skills development.

This conference is dedicated to exploring how to maximize the benefits of external cooperation in the field of migration. A wide range of national and international experts, including policymakers from EU and non-EU countries, practitioners and researchers, will engage in discussions around the challenges and components of effective migration partnerships, exploring opportunities for balanced as well as comprehensive cooperation and innovative approaches.

On 21 October 2024, the European Ombudsman closed her inquiry on respect for human rights in the context of the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). She concluded, inter alia, that the Commission should set out the criteria on which the suspension of contracts due to violations of human rights in the implementation of EU-funded projects in Tunisia would be based. These criteria should be made public.

Fifteen European countries plead with the European Commission to go beyond the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. They push for comprehensive, mutually beneficial and durable partnerships with third countries located along the migratory routes. They also want to inter alia explore solutions aimed at rescuing migrants on the high seas and bringing them to a predetermined place of safety in a partner country outside the EU.

On 2 May 2024, President von der Leyen was with Cypriot President Christodoulides in Beirut to announce a financial package of EUR 1 billion for Lebanon to contribute to the country's socio-economic stability and to migration management. The deal has already received criticism from various quarters.

During the first half of 2024, pivotal policy and political developments in the area of asylum and migration were put on the agenda, including the voting of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum by the European Parliament, and the European elections. At this critical juncture, there is a need for credible evidence, established expertise and open dialogue on the direction and shape of future policymaking. Within this context, MIGNEX is convening a high-level Policy Conference on EU migration and development policy.

At the request of the European Ombudsman, an inquiry was launched into the European Commission's approach to ensuring respect for human rights in the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) “on a strategic and global partnership”. This inquiry follows concerns about the absence of a prior human rights impact assessment in the context of the Memorandum.

In a joint Declaration signed in Cairo on 17 March 2024, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the European Union agreed to elevate their relationship to the level of a strategic and comprehensive partnership. The document identifies specific areas of cooperation, including migration and mobility.

Following the UN High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development on 3-4 October 2013, the Members of the General Assembly unanimously adopted a Declaration, recognizing the major relevance of international migration for the development of origin, transit and destination countries.

The Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the EU and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) organize the Brussels launch of the IOM World Migration Report 2013, followed by a panel commentary and a Q&A session.

Today the Belgian Contact Point of the EMN meets with representatives from KNOMAD, a World Bank Initiative, that aims to be a global hub of knowledge and policy expertise on migration and development issues. Discover the initiative with us!

On 18-19 June 2013, governments and experts shared experiences in order to identify better ways to engage, enable and enpower diaspora communities and promote them as development actors.

The European Commission has released a new Communication entitled “Maximising the Development Impact of Migration” recommending ways in which migration and mobility can contribute to inclusive and economic social development and how to strengthen global cooperation in this area.

On 20 March, the fifth lecture of the IES Series will focus on EU anti-discrimination policies. The question is" Did it reduce ethnic discrimination in the Member States?"