The IOM and UNHCR welcomed the entry into force of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, outlining it as an opportunity to move beyond crisis-driven responses toward a more fair and effective migration and asylum system across Europe. The two agencies noted that the Pact provides a structured framework for cooperation among EU Member States, with the potential to improve the efficiency and consistency of asylum procedures, reduce processing backlogs and offer greater certainty to asylum seekers and refugees.
They highlighted that successful implementation should strengthen both migration management and refugee protection while promoting solidarity and responsibility-sharing among Member States. IOM and UNHCR highlighted several positive elements of the Pact, including earlier identification of vulnerable individuals, improved access to legal assistance, and the introduction of independent monitoring mechanisms at external borders. They also supported a balanced approach to returns, combining effective enforcement with voluntary return options, case management and reintegration support.
Both organisations welcomed the EU’s renewed focus on partnerships with countries of origin, transit and destination, stressing the importance of addressing the root causes of irregular migration, combating migrant smuggling networks and expanding safe and regular migration pathways.
At the same time, IOM and UNHCR underlined that implementation will be the true measure of the Pact’s success. They stressed the need for adequate safeguards to ensure that no person is returned or transferred to a country where they could face persecution, conflict, or other serious harm, and reaffirmed the importance of upholding human rights and international protection standards throughout the migration and asylum process.
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (12 June, 2026), [IOM-UNHCR: EU Pact offers hope for better migration management and fairer asylum systems],