News 16 December 2025 IOM Issues Migration Recommendations to the Incoming Cyprus EU Presidency

Brussels, 16 December 2025 - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has released its recommendations on migration to the incoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), which assumes the rotating presidency in January 2026. As the Cypriot Presidency places greater emphasis on implementing the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, IOM calls for bold, inclusive, and evidence-based migration policies to address the evolving mobility landscape in Europe and beyond.

"IOM welcomes the opportunity to work closely with the Cyprus Presidency in advancing a comprehensive EU agenda on migration," said Lukas Gehrke, Director of the IOM Global Office in Brussels. "Our recommendations are based on our global expertise aimed at supporting the EU and its Member States in reinforcing an effective, fair and balanced European migration system."

The Cyprus Presidency will take place at a decisive moment for the EU's migration agenda, as irregular arrivals and asylum applications have reached their lowest levels in years while demographic pressures underscore the role of regulated migration in helping to sustain Europe's aging workforce.

IOM's recommendations are built on three pillars to address the changing migration landscape in Europe and its neighbourhood. By prioritizing evidence-based governance, advancing the implementation of the Migration Pact within the EU, and fostering resilient partnerships for the EU's external migration dimension, the Presidency can strengthen migration governance, uphold protection standards, and build resilience across Member States and partner regions.

First, IOM advocates for targeted, robust migration data systems and evidence-based analysis, which are crucial to guide policy decisions, strengthen monitoring, and ensure that migration governance is informed by reliable foresight and measurable outcomes. Prioritizing data is essential for the EU to anticipate and respond in a fair and effective way to evolving migration dynamics.

Cyprus, positioned at the EU's southeastern frontier and drawing on its frontline migration experience, will play a pivotal role during its Presidency in 2026 by operationalizing the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and ensuring that commitments lead to concrete improvements in border management, reception conditions, and solidarity mechanisms.

IOM is supporting preparations for the Migration Pact's rollout in June and continues to stress the importance of effective policies that save lives, reduce irregularity, and prevent the exploitation of migrants by smuggling networks. We encourage the Presidency to advance an improved, rights-centred returns system that works, together with effective and sustainable reintegration upon return.

IOM recommends the expansion and improvement of safe and regular migration channels, including labour mobility schemes, to help meet demographic and labour market needs. At the same time, the Presidency should champion comprehensive integration and inclusion strategies that strengthen social and economic participation, and foster community cohesion.

The Cyprus Presidency can lead on building balanced, resilient migration partnerships with partner countries and effective humanitarian action. Persistent instability in Afghanistan, Syria, Sudan, and the Sahel, climate-induced displacement, and the transition of Ukrainian refugees from temporary protection, highlight the urgency and need for a comprehensive governance approach, which also reinforces protection systems to uphold the rights of migrants and refugees.

IOM therefore strongly encourages strengthened, effective cooperation along the migration routes by operationalizing a route-based approach to reduce exploitation and support migrants, particularly for those in more vulnerable situations. This ensures continuity of essential services and protection across origin, transit, and destination countries.

Cyprus can leverage the Pact for the Mediterranean and, globally, through Team Europe initiatives, UN collaboration, and Global Gateway investments to help build a migration system that is rights-based, sustainable, and aligned with EU values while contributing to stability and development in partner regions.

IOM's recommendations also stress that upholding humanitarian principles and needs-based responses, which embed human mobility in climate frameworks, are crucial. This includes integrating climate crisis considerations into EU migration policies to address the growing impact of environmental factors influencing human mobility.

Finally, IOM recommends that the Presidency and the EU Member States actively engage in the preparations for the 2026 International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM).

IOM extends its ongoing partnership, support, and expertise to the Cyprus EU Presidency through its extensive policy and operational expertise within the EU and globally, and close cooperation with EU institutions, Member States, and partner countries. The goal is to promote a practical, principled migration agenda that reflects Europe's values and global responsibilities.

Read IOM's recommendations here.

For more information, please visit IOM's Media Centre.