BRUSSELS, Belgium – Amid a rapidly evolving mobility landscape marked by persistent crises, regional conflicts, loss of life along migration routes and rising humanitarian needs in a resource-constrained environment, the European Union (EU) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) met in Brussels for their 12th Senior Officials Meeting. They reiterated their commitment towards deeper strategic cooperation on migration and humanitarian response in 2026.
Building on over a decade of structured dialogue, the partners used the annual forum to review progress and chart a course for a more effective, humane and forward-looking approach to migration governance in 2026, reaffirming their commitment to comprehensive multilateral action.
The meeting was co-chaired by European External Action Service (EEAS) managing director for Global Affairs and Communication Olivier Bailly, and IOM director gGeneral Amy Pope. They agreed that well-functioning migration management on key routes is essential to strengthening the EU’s external engagement with partner countries, tackling migrant smuggling, reducing the use of irregular and dangerous routes, protecting migrants’ and refugees’ rights, and ensuring that return and reintegration take place in a more effective, humane and sustainable manner.
IOM DG Pope highlighted IOM’s 2026 outlook and stressed the vital importance of strategic EU-IOM cooperation and deeper route-based cooperation to deliver credible, humane, results-driven migration solutions.
“Today’s discussion reflects the strength of the EU–IOM partnership and our shared commitment to managing migration in ways that protect people and support States,” said DG Pope. “As routes evolve and needs grow, deepening our cooperation in 2026 will be essential to delivering practical, people-centred solutions that save lives, strengthen protection, and respond to changing realities on the ground.”
EEAS secretary general, Belén Martínez Carbonell, who also welcomed IOM colleagues, emphasised the dynamism of the EU-IOM relationship and the importance of such close collaboration in times of challenges for multilateralism.
“This yearly dialogue is of utmost importance to demonstrate the solidity of our relationship and the importance we both give to structured and strengthened cooperation on all aspects of migration.”
“Continue building a strategic way forward at political and technical level will be essential to tackle migration challenges in a whole-of-route and whole-of-society approach. This is our duty as defenders of a global and comprehensive narrative for migration management, especially in this year of reviewing of the Global Compact on Migration at the International Migration Review Forum”.
At the meeting, the senior officials reviewed progress in key areas of cooperation and looked ahead at shared priorities for 2026. This included the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, the development of nationally owned reintegration systems, and responses to ongoing humanitarian crises. Discussions on the concept of a route-based approach were held. They also highlighted the importance of coordinated engagement and sustained support in Syria, Libya, and Ukraine.
A key priority in discussion was the need to strengthen political trust in migration governance, particularly by demonstrating tangible results along key routes. Effective migration management engagement along key routes will be a substantial crucial theme guiding EU and IOM engagement at the upcoming International Migration Review Forum (IMRF), taking place 5-8 May in New York, where the EU and member states will have the opportunity to reiterate commitments and look forward to engaging progress in implementing the GCM’s objectives.
