International Organization for Migration (IOM) has  called on EU Member States to translate new migration reforms into practical, evidence-driven implementation, backed by strong partnerships and sustainable investment as Ireland prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) at a decisive moment for migration management, the

With implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum and negotiations on the next long-term EU budget underway, IOM’s recommendations to the Irish EU Presidency outline four priority areas to help advance an effective and balanced migration agenda that supports the Presidency’s focus on competitiveness, security and values. 

“Ireland’s Presidency arrives as the EU has begun the process of turning hard-fought reforms into credible results on migration,” said Lukas Gehrke, Director of IOM’s Global Office in Brussels. “That means keeping implementation practical, balanced and grounded in evidence, while ensuring the next EU budget provides the predictable, sustained investment needed to respond to migration and displacement within and beyond the EU.” 

Migration trends show both progress and continuing challenges. While irregular arrivals to the EU have declined, the human cost along migration routes remains high, with the rate of fatalities in the Central Mediterranean underscoring persistent risks faced by migrants. At the same time, most migration to the EU continues through regular pathways, with millions of residence permits issued annually for work, family, and education, reflecting migration’s essential role in addressing labour market needs and competitiveness.   

Against this backdrop, IOM’s recommendations call for strengthened evidence-driven migration governance to support more anticipatory and coordinated responses. This includes reinforcing data systems, foresight analysis, and early warning capacities to better understand evolving migration dynamics shaped by global crises, climate change, and shifting mobility patterns.  

As EU Member States are actively involved in putting in place new systems and procedures for the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the Irish Presidency will have a key role in facilitating practical solutions, addressing possible bottlenecks, and supporting a phased and flexible rollout that reflects diverse national contexts while maintaining common standards.  

IOM stresses the need to advance a comprehensive approach to migration governance within the EU that balances border management, asylum, and return systems with strong support for integration, protection safeguards and respect for fundamental rights. This includes promoting fair and efficient return procedures, strengthening digitalization efforts, and improving coordination among Member States and EU agencies to ensure effective implementation.  

The recommendations also highlight the importance of reinforcing the external dimension of EU migration policy through strategic partnerships with partner countries. Strengthening cooperation along migration routes, supporting countries of origin and transit, and promoting safe and regular migration pathways will be essential to address root causes, reduce irregular movements, and foster shared responsibility.  

Given increasing global displacement driven by conflict, instability, and climate-related hazards, IOM calls for migration to be fully integrated into broader EU policy frameworks, including development, climate action, and humanitarian assistance.  

Anticipating and responding to climate-related mobility, in particular, will require forward-looking, cross-sectoral approaches that link migration policy with resilience-building and adaptation strategies.  

IOM’s recommendations further highlight the strategic importance of labour mobility and skills partnerships in addressing EU labour shortages and enhancing economic competitiveness. Initiatives such as the EU Talent Pool and Talent Partnerships offer opportunities to expand regular migration pathways while ensuring fair and ethical recruitment practices and protection of migrant rights.  

Drawing on its global operational footprint and its presence across EU Member States and partner countries, IOM reiterates its commitment to supporting the Irish Presidency and EU Member States in advancing a pragmatic and principled migration agenda.  

A new data released today by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has revealed that about 8,000 migrants were reported dead or missing worldwide in 2025, bringing the total since 2014 to more than 82,000.

 At least around 340,000 family members are estimated to have been directly affected. Despite declines in arrivals in some regions, the data shows migration routes are shifting rather than easing, with risks remaining high along increasingly dangerous journeys.

The findings draw on IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Global Overview of Migration Routes and new analysis from the Missing Migrants Project (MMP). DTM tracks movements, changing routes and conditions along migration corridors through direct field monitoring and governmental data sources, while MMP documents migrant deaths and disappearances using official records, media reports and information from IOM missions worldwide. Together, the reports show how drivers at origin and policy changes along the routes are reshaping migration journeys, while the human cost of unsafe migration continues to rise.

“Routes are shifting in response to conflict, climate pressures and policy changes, but the risks are still very real,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “Behind these numbers are people taking dangerous journeys and families left waiting for news that may never come. Data is critical to understanding these routes and designing interventions that can reduce risks, save lives and promote safer migration pathways.”

The 2025 Global Overview of Migration Routes shows that lower arrival figures in some regions do not reflect reduced migration pressure, but rather changing journeys as enforcement measures, conflict dynamics and environmental stress have altered established pathways.

In the Americas, northbound movements along the Central American route fell sharply compared to 2024. In Europe, overall arrivals declined, but the profile of movements changed, with Bangladeshi nationals becoming the largest group arriving while Syrian arrivals fell following political and policy shifts.

In the Horn of Africa, movements towards the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia decreased slightly from 2024 but remained above 2023 levels, while flows from East Africa towards Southern Africa increased late in the year due to shifting labour demands in southern Ethiopia. Along the Western African Atlantic route, arrivals to the Canary Islands dropped significantly after strengthened border cooperation, but journeys have become longer, riskier and more geographically dispersed.

Across regions, DTM data shows persistent pressures along migration routes. Thousands of migrants were stranded in border areas with limited access to shelter, health care and protection, while returns and relocations increased, placing additional strain on local services and complicating reintegration.

Together, the findings show that changing routes do not mean reduced harm. As journeys become more fragmented and hazardous, deaths, disappearances and the suffering of families left behind remain a persistent reality.

The reports reflect IOM’s route-based approach, linking mobility tracking with analysis of risks and fatalities to better target interventions, prioritize resources and support governments along key migration corridors.

Ahead of the International Migration Review Forum in May, IOM is calling for renewed commitments to protect migrants, prevent deaths and disappearances, and better support families affected by migration tragedies. The Organization says the evidence is clear: fewer movements do not automatically mean safer journeys, and saving lives requires stronger international cooperation and sustained investment in evidence-based responses.

Security operatives in Libya have in different operations   incepted human smugglers and rescued the victims.

According to Migrant Rescue Watch Police during desert patrols on April 14, intercepted a vehicle carrying 23 undocumented #migrants including women & children of sub-Saharan nationalities. “All transferred to Al-Shatti Security Directorate pending DCIM notification.

On April  13, Migrant Rescue Watch said  Libyan Navy PB “Al-Marqab” rescued off the coast of Tobruk 32 #migrants of Bangladeshi, Egyptian & Sudanese nationalities. All disembarked in Tobruk Naval Base where they were provided with medical & humanitarian assistance by LRC.

It added that Libyan Coast Guard (Gen.Cmd.) rescued 130 nm NE of Tobruk 33 #migrants of Bangladeshi, Egyptian and Sudanese nationalities. All disembarked in Tobruk Naval Base.

About the same period it said the CID in Tobruk thwarted a major human smuggling operation and seized a truck transporting 150 undocumented #migrants of Bangladeshi and Pakistani nationalities.