EMN Belgium, together with the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS), the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (Fedasil), the Belgian Immigration Office, and the Federal Migration Centre (Myria), organised a conference to examine the Pact from diverse viewpoints, primarily emphasising its operationalisation and implementation. The conference brought together representatives inter alia from EU institutions, the Member States, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

Here are some key takeaways from the conference:

• The high-level speakers provided insights into the extensive political negotiations and compromises that shaped the Pact and emphasised the strong political will to address the Pact's shortcomings through collaboration with various stakeholders.
   
• The European Commission presented the Common Implementation Plan, which provides a structured approach for EU Member States to adopt their National Implementation Plans by 12 December 2024, to implement new legislation effectively by mid-2026.
   
• Speakers emphasised the necessity for shared responsibilities and the sustained evolution of solidarity mechanisms amid challenging conditions, stressing the crucial role of political, legal, and financial support to ensure effective implementation.
   
• In the context of the new border system, the importance of checks and balances to ensure robust decision-making, evidence-based policy formulation, compliance with data protection regulations, and upholding human rights was emphasized.
   
• Comprehensive contingency plans, supported by essential resources, were highlighted as crucial for effective preparedness for evolving migratory situations, mitigating crisis risks, and enabling a prompt, efficient, and coordinated response during migration crises.
   
• Key challenges related to fundamental rights included detention practices, alternatives to detention, capacity-building to identify and address vulnerabilities, and ensuring access to remedies, appeals processes, and legal counsel despite resource constraints.

The entire team of EMN Belgium wishes to warmly thank its partners, all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions.

Please read the conference report attached below for additional takeaways.
For additional information and videos about the conference, please visit this page.