Organised by EMN Cyprus with the support of the European Commission, the conference brought together representatives from EU Member States, Norway, EU institutions and agencies, international organisations, civil society and other partners. The event focused on the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, ahead of its entry into application on 12 June 2026. Participants underlined that this date marks the beginning of a new operational phase, rather than the end of the implementation process.

Over two days, participants discussed the state of play of preparations, remaining implementation challenges and the longer-term objectives of the European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy. The programme included thematic discussions on preparedness, the development of an effective asylum and migration system, responsibility and solidarity, the resources required for implementation, the role of different stakeholders, evidence-based policymaking, and the use of digital tools and technologies.

The exchanges on solidarity underlined the importance of looking beyond short-term national perspectives. As one panellist framed it, solidarity under the Pact requires recognising that a Member State may be under pressure and benefit from solidarity at one point, while offering solidarity to others at another. Panellists highlighted the need for a system that is predictable, balanced, grounded in reliable data and based on a shared understanding of responsibility.

Several discussions also stressed the importance of reducing the political sensitivity surrounding migration management. As stated by one of the moderators, the ambition should be to “make migration boring again”: to move away from crisis-driven debates and towards policies based on evidence and operational realities.

Participants highlighted the importance of having EURODAC fully operational, as it forms a key element of the new system. Reliable data, interoperable systems and digital tools will be essential to support Member States in implementing the Pact effectively and consistently.

Discussions on the resources required for implementation also pointed to the importance of adequate and sustainable funding. Civil society representatives stressed that CSOs should be recognised as key partners in the implementation process, rather than seeing their role reduced or their operational space limited. They also underlined the need for flexible funding mechanisms that are accessible to civil society organisations, allowing them to respond effectively to changing needs on the ground and to contribute to fair, humane and workable implementation.

The discussions on digital tools and technological solutions provided concrete examples of how innovation can support Pact implementation. Estonia, widely recognised for its experience in digital public services, highlighted the “only once” principle: information should be requested only once from citizens and migrants, while systems should be interoperable so that relevant data can be shared securely across administrations, systems and applications. The Netherlands presented a new IT tool allowing applicants for international protection to complete and submit an online questionnaire for screening purposes. Such tools can strengthen applicants’ self-reliance while also reducing administrative burdens on screening authorities.

For EMN Belgium, the conference provided a valuable opportunity to exchange with other National Contact Points and partners on the practical implementation of the Pact. It also offered a timely opportunity to reflect on how the EMN can continue to support evidence-based policy discussions and cooperation among Member States.

As the Pact enters into application on 12 June 2026, the focus now shifts from legal and operational preparation to sustained implementation and improvement.