On 15 and 16 October 2024, EMN Belgium hosted the 62nd meeting of the EMN Working Group on the Asylum and Migration Glossary. The Glossary is an online resource developed by the EMN containing over 500 of the most common terms used in the field of migration and asylum. It aims to improve comparability among EMN Member and Observer countries by enabling a common understanding and use of these terms by providing definitions enshrined in legal and policy documents, translations in 27 languages, and notes on the use and context of the term.

The Glossary is kept up to date thanks to the work of a Working Group that meets twice a year to discuss new terms, update existing ones, and exchange best practices on promotion activities. The 62nd meeting also included a day of discussions on the cooperation with external partners. The European Commission, EU agencies (EUAA, Frontex), EU Council institutions, UNHCR and other partners were invited to present their own work on the harmonisation of migration-related vocabulary in the EU, and discussions were held on the best ways to coordinate this work among all actors involved and strengthen cooperation.

These efforts are particularly timely given the recent adoption of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, which introduces a series of new terms to the EU’s asylum and migration policy. As Member States prepare to implement the instruments of the Pact, a common understanding of these terms is crucial to ensure a harmonised policy across the EU. The Glossary is also an important tool for all those interested in deciphering these new instruments and adopting the proper terminology in their own work.