News

Over 130 practitioners from Central Asia and Türkiye convened on 9–13 June 2025 at Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, for a five-day simulation-based regional training exercise focused on combating trafficking in human beings. Organised by the OSCE in co-operation with Kyrgyz authorities and supported by the Prague Process, the training built on the success of a similar regional simulation held in 2023 and marked a significant step forward in fostering operational collaboration and victim-centred responses to trafficking threats.  

The e-course ‘Introduction to Migration Studies’ is now available in English on the Prague Process e-Learning Platform. Developed by the Prague Process Training Academy and Emeritus Professor Ronald Skeldon, the course offers a foundational yet comprehensive introduction to the complex and multidimensional field of migration. 

This Policy Brief discusses Belarus’ migration trends and their implications for the EU. 

In recent years, Belarus has experienced profound migratory shifts, driven by political repression, geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts. Following the disputed 2020 presidential elections, up to 500,000 Belarusians fled to neighbouring countries, with many seeking stability and opportunities in the European Union (EU). At the same time, Belarus became a transit hub for migrants from the Middle East, as part of state-orchestrated migration flows aimed at pressuring the EU, and a refuge for over 20,000 Ukrainians displaced by war. These dynamics have challenged regional migration policies, highlighting tensions between national security, economic interests and humanitarian obligations. The evolving landscape underscores the need for EU Member States to develop balanced and adaptive migration strategies that effectively respond to state-orchestrated migration pressures from Belarus.  

On 29-30 April 2025, representatives from 21 Prague Process participating states gathered in Denmark for a Prague Process study visit hosted by the Danish Ministries of Immigration and Integration, and Foreign Affairs. The visit, organised under Thematic Component 2 on return, readmission and reintegration (RRR), provided a hands-on opportunity to explore Denmark’s comprehensive approach to this priority area, identified as one of the top concerns among the areas covered by the PP Action Plan 2023-2027.

Belgrade, 8–9 April 2025 – The Prague Process Workshop on Border Surveillance brought together representatives of the border authorities and management experts from 16 participating countries as well as representatives of the EC, EEAS, EUROPOL, JCP, UNHCR, UNODC, and ICMPD, to discuss best practices, challenges, and recent policy developments in border management and surveillance.

Hosted at the National Assembly of Serbia, the event served as a platform for sharing experiences and fostering cooperation on preventing irregular migration and combating migrant smuggling. The activity was organised within Thematic Component 1: Preventing and fighting irregular migration and migrant smuggling (TC 1) of the Prague Process Action Plan 2023-2027, co-led by Hungary and the Kyrgyz Republic. 

The Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) Migration Outlook presents an analysis of the key events and trends that shaped migration in the EECA region in 2024. Simultaneously, it offers a cautious outlook into areas and issues that may affect migration and mobility to, within and from EECA in 2025. In a non-exhaustive way, the publication addresses related developments in the twelve EECA countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. The analysis is based on ICMPD’s regional expertise and desk research from official and public data sources to ensure grounded understanding of regional dynamics. 

This analytical report explores the challenges Ukraine and Moldova face in aligning their migration, asylum, and border management policies with EU standards as part of their accession process. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, both countries received EU candidate status, sparking a renewed focus on the enlargement process. Ukraine’s unique position as a country in active conflict and Moldova’s geopolitical vulnerabilities amplify the complexity of their accession. 

We are delighted to share with you the January–March 2025 edition of the Quarterly Review, featuring the latest updates from the Prague Process.

“Patrolling the Periphery - Developing Border Strategies Through Co-operation and Technology”

On 25-27 March, representatives of nine Prague Process states attended the 14th edition of the World Border Security Congress, held in Madrid. The event convened over 450 experts, policymakers, and practitioners from 60 countries, including representatives of IOM, UNODC, UNOCT, OSCE, EC, FRONTEX, and INTERPOL. Marking its second return to Madrid, the event reflected on the growing complexity of global mobility.

This high-level congress provided a platform for senior border officials to meet, discuss and debate evolving landscape of border security and migration governance spotlighting innovative practices, policy responses, and shared commitments. In alignment with the priority area 1 of the Prague Process Action Plan, the Congress strongly resonated with the objectives of the Process’s Digital Lab and Resilience Hub by addressing preparedness, digitalisation, as well as use and integration of modern border technologies. The exhibition held alongside the Congress allowed participating states to exchange knowledge and explore cutting-edge technological solutions – tools and products in border management - showcased by the private sector.

Three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, displacement remains one of the war’s most profound consequences. Millions of Ukrainians have sought refuge abroad or become internally displaced, facing continued uncertainty about their future. While some have found temporary stability in host countries, many struggle with integration, employment, and legal challenges. At the same time, discussions on return and reconstruction are gaining momentum, but security concerns, infrastructure destruction, and economic hardships continue to obstruct large-scale returns.

In this webinar, Dr Franck Düvell presented key trends in forced migration from Ukraine, revisiting existing displacement scenarios and analysing the impact of attacks on energy infrastructure on displacement trends. Dr Nataliia Huseiva and Dr Kateryna Sehida assessed the current state of internal displacement in Ukraine, highlighting major challenges and evolving dynamics. Mr Martin Wagner examined the legal status of Ukrainians in the EU under temporary protection and explored the prospects for their legal stay under various scenarios. Meanwhile, Mr Jan Werner shared insights on the Czech Republic’s perspective on the displacement of Ukrainians.