The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has called for greater investment in people, community participation and sustainable return pathways as essential pillars of Ukraine’s recovery during the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2026) in Gdańsk.   

The conference, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, brought together governments, international organizations, financial institutions, businesses and civil society to advance Ukraine’s reconstruction and long-term development.   

“Every Ukrainian has a role to play, whether a veteran, an internally displaced person, a member of a host community, a returnee, a Ukrainian living abroad or the Ukrainian diaspora,” said IOM Deputy Director General for Operations, Ugochi Daniels. “Ensuring that all Ukrainians can actively contribute to the country’s recovery remains central to IOM’s efforts, in addition to expanding access to employment, vocational training, housing, mental health services, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.” 

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, IOM has supported more than 10,000 internally displaced people with job-matching services, provided vocational training and equipment to over 1,500 vulnerable people, including those internally displaced including IDPs, and helped more than 2,300 war-affected businesses.  

Strengthening local communities and ensuring displaced people are included in decision-making processes are central to sustainable recovery. Through community-based approaches and support to local authorities, IOM works to promote social cohesion, strengthen local capacities and support community-led recovery efforts across Ukraine.  

Decisions about whether to return home, remain in a host community or pursue other long-term solutions are deeply personal and must be based on informed choice. Continued investment in reliable information, employment opportunities and housing solutions is key to enable safe, dignified and sustainable returns when conditions allow.  

On the margins of the conference, Deputy Director General Daniels met with representatives of the Governments of Ukraine and Poland, European Union institutions, international financial institutions, donor partners and civil society organizations to deepen cooperation on Ukraine’s recovery and support for displaced Ukrainians. Discussions focused on strengthening partnerships across key areas including livelihoods, community resilience, diaspora engagement and veterans’ reintegration, reinforcing the shared commitment to helping Ukrainians rebuild their lives and contribute to the country’s future.  

With Ukraine’s recovery needs estimated at USD 588 billion over the next decade, according to the United Nations, IOM underscores the critical importance of sustained support for early recovery and long-term development, through approaches that engage diverse communities and are adapted to local contexts.  

Leading scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world will gather in Porto from July 1–3, 2026, for the 2nd CEAUP International Conference on Migration, hosted at the University of Porto partner location at Instituto Pernambuco Porto Brasil.

The event will take place at Instituto Pernambuco Porto, Rua das Estrelas 143, Porto, Portugal.

Organized by the Migration Observatory Lab at the Center for African Studies of the University of Porto, in collaboration with international partners including Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Nigeria, the conference will focus on the theme:

“Migration and Artificial Intelligence: Governance, Ethics, and Future Pathways.”

The conference will examine the evolving intersection of migration and artificial intelligence, with particular emphasis on how emerging technologies are reshaping migration governance, ethical standards, and future global mobility trends. Through a series of panels, keynote sessions, and discussions, participants will engage with some of the most pressing global challenges and opportunities in this field.

Akinwale Roy Ojomo, lead researcher and convener of the conference, stated that:

> “The urgency in creating innovative ideas supported by AI technology is the reason we are gathering in Porto, Portugal this year.”

One of the keynote speakers, Dr. Koko Warner, Director at the IOM Global Data Institute in Geneva, will discuss how big data can help address migration challenges in Europe.

Bisi Obateru, founder of Just I Guide, a U.S.-based company, will present practical solutions on the use of AI in processing immigration protocols online.

Numerous abstracts have been received, and key practitioners have confirmed their participation in the hybrid event. In addition to in-person attendance, participants will have the opportunity to join virtually.

The three-day conference is expected to attract an international audience of researchers, institutional representatives, and professionals, fostering dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.

Invitations have been sent to AIMA and the European Union for goodwill messages, particularly in light of the recent rollout of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.

The conference will also witness the launch of the JAPA Process Theory and Modeling, a strategy designed to help countries of origin create information portals for legal migration pathways and reduce irregular migration.

The organisers can be reached through any of the following:

Email:

aojomo@letras.up.pt

ceaup@letras.up.pt

migrationlabteam@outlook.com

Phone: +351 920 658 116

Nigerian has the highest number of West African migrants set to be repatriated from the US.

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the removal of 110 Nigerians as part of a wider crackdown that will see 355 nationals from the sub-region returned home.

The DHS yesterday published names and photographs of all 355 individuals listed for deportation under its “WOW” West Africa Operations Watch initiative, reports The Guardian.

Nigeria accounts for 110 of those listed, second only to Liberia with 94, and far ahead of Ghana’s 30 and Senegal’s 19.

The list also includes 15 Cameroonians, 14 Gambians, 14 Ivorians, 12 Mauritanians, 11 Cape Verdeans, nine Burkinabes, eight Nigeriens, six Guineans, six Togolese, five Malians, and 1 each from Benin and Guinea-Bissau.