Ireland has become the 21st country to join the Vienna-based International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

The group is an international organisation that focuses on developing and implementing long-term strategies to manage migration for its members.

It analyses migratory flows experienced by European states to develop measures for the improved recognition and control of migratory movements.

The group said that Ireland had been working with it for the past 20 years, collaborating on a number of migration governance projects through research.

‘Wealth of experience’

Welcoming the move, the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said that the ICMPD brought “a wealth of experience” that would be “an invaluable resource” to Irish policy-makers.

“Global migration is increasingly complex and multi-faceted. Ireland cannot go it alone; effective migration policy cannot be developed or implemented in isolation,” she stated.

The ICMPD was founded in 1993 and has 21 member states – 16 from the EU and five from outside the EU.

Countries of origin

It is active in more than 90 countries worldwide, with over 715 partners – including EU institutions and United Nations agencies.

The organisation has also built extensive partnerships with countries of origin, and is locally represented in 36 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

Its Director-General Michael Spindelegger said: “Beyond being a destination country for migrants, Ireland’s active collaboration with ICMPD, and the country’s experience in responding to various migration themes, will strengthen our possibilities to respond jointly and more effectively to the opportunities and challenges, and work towards improved migration systems at the regional level.”

EU agreement

The European Commission has also welcomed Ireland’s decision to opt in to seven legal acts under the EU’s Pact on Migration and Asylum.

The commission officially confirmed Ireland’s participation today (31 July), having been notified last month.