Veranstalter: EMN Österreich
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On 18 November 2024, the EMN Austria National Conference, „Unleashing the Potential of Migration Partnerships: Towards a Comprehensive Approach“, took place at the Flemings Selection Hotel in Vienna.
The conference focused on exploring ways to maximize the benefits of external cooperation in the field of migration. A diverse group of national and international experts – including policymakers from both EU and non-EU countries, practitioners, and researchers – as well as more than 100 participants engaged in discussions on the challenges and key elements of effective migration partnerships. View the Conference Report here.
The event continued the EMN’s ongoing work on migration diplomacy, including the recently released EMN-OECD inform “Migration Diplomacy: An Analysis of Policy Approaches and Instruments”.
Opening remarks & keynote
The conference opened with welcoming remarks by IOM and the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior that set the tone for the discussions, followed by a keynote speech by UNHCR highlighting the importance of a route-based approach to managing migration. The keynote underlined the need for partnerships that align mutual interests and address the complexities of global migration dynamics.
Panel I: Migration Diplomacy – How to build strong partnerships
The first panel discussed diplomatic approaches and instruments for establishing migration partnerships. Drawing from their experiences, the panellists from Austria, the European Union, the US and IOM examined the advantages and challenges of these partnerships and offered insights on factors which make them successful.
Panel II: Migration Partnerships in the context of global, multi-facetted challenges
The second panel discussed how partnerships can sustainably address migration by leveraging its potential and managing associated challenges. A particular focus was given to innovative solutions addressing irregular migration with contributions from Rwanda, Mauritania, Denmark, Germany and UNHCR.
Panel III: New frameworks for legal migration pathways
The final panel focused on labour migration as a critical component of partnerships. The speakers from Austria and Kenya highlighted frameworks such as talent partnerships and bilateral agreements, stressing their potential to meet labour market demands and promote skills development.
Final remarks
The conference concluded with reflections by the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior on the value of multi-stakeholder collaboration in shaping effective migration strategies. Participants emphasized the importance of drawing on practical experiences, fostering dialogue, and identifying priorities for future action.