The UN migration agency IOM last week appealed to Belgium, which will hold the European Union's presidency for six months, and Hungary, which will subsequently assume the presidency this year, to ensure the protection of rights outlined in the EU's New Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Amy Pope, Director General of the IOM, stated, "This is a pivotal moment for the EU to deliver on the promise of migration for partner countries, migrants, economies, and societies," according to a statement released by the IOM last week. Pope added, "We encourage the EU and its Member States to prioritize migrant rights and viable solutions in their policies and practices."

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Call to reduce irregular migration and develop legal pathways

IOM underscored the importance of supporting the protection of migrants in vulnerable situations while addressing irregular migration through the creation of legal entryways to meet the demands of national labor markets facing a shortage of manpower.

The UN agency urged the Belgian and Hungarian presidencies, along with EU Member States, to drive legislative proposals that enhance regular pathways, engaging in dialogue with partner countries and small and medium-sized enterprises.

According to IOM, the success of the plan's implementation depends on effective cooperation with countries of origin and transit; it is therefore necessary to further develop partnerships with priority countries of Africa and Asia, the agency noted.

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Focus on the connection between climate crisis, human mobility and humanitarian crises

Finally, after stressing how the scale and severity of the climate crisis are intertwined with human mobility in all regions of the world, including Europe, IOM noted how climate-related disasters are intensifying humanitarian crises, placing additional strain on an already overstretched and underfunded global humanitarian system.

IOM thus urged Belgium and Hungary to "deliver solutions that offer choices for people to live safe, prosperous and dignified lives in areas vulnerable to climate impact, provide assistance and protection to people displaced by disasters and help people to move safely and regularly to adapt to climate impacts", concluded the organization.