High-Level Conference organised by the Cyprus EMN Presidency on the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum

The High-Level Conference organised by the Cypriot Presidency of the European Migration Network (EMN), entitled ‘Taking Stock of the Pact on Migration and Asylum: From Strategy to Reality’, will take place at the Filoxenia Conference Centre in Nicosia on 19 and 20 May 2026. This two-day event will focus on the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, with particular attention to the current state of preparations for its entry into force, as well as the challenges that still lie ahead.

Conference objectives 

Organised by EMN Cyprus and supported by the European Commission, the conference will bring together authorities from EU Member States, Norway and invited institutional and international partners, including EU agencies, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). In addition, a public session involving civil society and NGOs will be held on the second day. This session will be streamed live. 

Discussions will focus on the implementation of the Pact, taking stock of preparations and remaining challenges ahead of its entry into force on 12 June 2026. The programme will also take a forward-looking and long-term approach by analysing the objectives of the European Strategy on Asylum and Migration. 

The sessions will address topics such as the internal resources of EU Member States and the external support required for the long-term implementation of the Pact, collaboration with stakeholders, including civil society and international organisations, the importance of high-quality data and evidence to inform preparations, and the role of digital tools in supporting the implementation of the Pact and the Strategy’s objectives. 

Agenda 

Thefirst dayof the conference will bring together policy-makers from the EU and Norway, the UNHCR and the IOM for high-level discussions on the current state of preparations for the implementation of the Pact from 12 June onwards and will examine the long-term objectives of the Strategy. 

The first panel will reflect on what is needed to achieve the strategic objective of implementing an effective asylum and migration system. Two subsequent panels will address the concepts of responsibility and solidarity. 

Thesecond day, open to civil society and NGOs, with a live stream for the public,will feature three panels. The first will analyse the resources needed to implement the Pact, including preparations and the roles, responsibilities and challenges faced by the various stakeholders. 

The second panel will focus on evidence-based policy-making, including forward-looking approaches and the importance of robust, verified data to inform policy decisions. 

A third panel will examine technological approaches and how digital solutions and various technologies can support EU Member States at an operational level and improve efficiency. The second day will be open to the public and will be streamed live via WebEx.

More information: European Commission.