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President,

We continue to view the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration as a positive force that aligns with the EU’s comprehensive and rights-based approach to migration. Migration is an inherent part of human history, and multilateral cooperation is essential to ensure responsibility-sharing, sharing of best practices, and ensure a comprehensive approach to migration policies.

I am honoured to present the EU's progress in implementing the GCM and our commitments from the IMRF. The EU has made significant strides in addressing migration challenges. The Pact on Migration and Asylum is evidence of the EU’ recent achievement. The EU is intensifying efforts to dismantle smuggling networks and combat trafficking in human beings, focusing on protecting vulnerable individuals. This involves enhanced cooperation with third countries and international organizations, legislative measures, operational support, and capacity-building initiatives to prevent these crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.

The launching of the Global Alliance to counter migrant smuggling in November 2023 was a significant step to enhance international cooperation on the matter, with the participation of 36 non-EU countries, all EU MS and international organisations.

On legal migration, we have launched “Talent Partnerships” with Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. This initiative provides a comprehensive policy and funding framework to better match skills and needs between the EU, its Member States, and partner countries.

We have proposed a new “Skills and Talent Mobility Package” to address barriers to international recruitment. This package aims to ensure that non-EU nationals can make the most of their skills and qualifications in Europe. New EU tools, such as the EU Talent Pool, will help match EU employers with job seekers, focusing on occupations with EU-wide shortages and supporting the green and digital transition.

The EU remains committed to fostering inclusive societies by enhancing migrant integration and social cohesion, ensuring migrants can fully participate and contribute, thereby promoting harmonious coexistence and building a stronger, more resilient Europe.

The EU remains committed to support partner countries to implement the GCM through a number of actions. Let me mention some examples:

• Projects to enhance data collection on migrating children globally and in specific regions, with €15 million allocated for Sub-Saharan Africa and €9 million for Asia.
•  Efforts on return and reintegration have been strengthened, particularly for migrants stranded on dangerous routes, with IOM's support facilitating 6,000 voluntary returns from Tunisia. A €263 million program aids stranded migrants in Sub-Saharan Africa, assisting over 29,000 with voluntary returns, 63,000 with post-arrival support, and 52,000 with reintegration.
• The "Better Migration Management" programme, now in its third phase with a €40 million budget, aims to enhance migration governance and combat smuggling and trafficking in the Horn and Eastern Africa, focusing on women and children.
• Additionally, the EU supports the UN's "Building Migration Partnerships" programme, which helps countries like Ghana and El Salvador improve their migration policies and action plans, while also providing technical assistance to other nations.

The EU remains committed to managing migration in a way that upholds human rights and fosters solidarity, working with international partners to ensure safe, orderly, and beneficial migration.

Thank you for your attention.