International Conference on Migration Governance

An International Conference on Migration Governance – “New Models of Migration Management System: Impact of VLAP Implementation in Georgia” was held on 26 March 2021 on the initiative of the State Commission on Migration Issues of Georgia (SCMI) in cooperation with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and the European Migration Network (EMN), supported by the EU-funded Project “Sustaining Migration Management in Georgia” (ENIGMMA 2).

The conference marked the 5th year anniversary of the implementation of the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP) by Georgia (2013-2015) and reflected on the role that VLAP played for development of the country as a whole and of the migration management system in particular.

Even though the VLAP has been successfully accomplished, its long-term objectives focus on continuous advancement of the migration management system in Georgia, and based on strong partnerships, aim at introducing sustainable mechanisms of governance and conducting a policy based on the principle of migration and development.

In this light, the following topics have been presented at the conference by the EU, SCMI and EMN representatives:

• The new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and related tools;
• The main milestones of the implementation of the VLAP by Georgia;
• The role of the European Migration Network in supporting European and national stakeholders in migration and asylum issues as well as informing the general public;
• Regional and national migration management examples.

The State Commission on Migration Issues is an advisory body of the Government of Georgia, which discusses and makes decisions on various migration management related issues. The Commission comprises nine state agencies and the Public Service Development Agency of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia acts as its Secretariat.

Conference Publication

• Georgia - European Union Cooperation - Compendium of Migration Milestones (1.77 MB)