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IBM Third Consultation Meeting

Third Consultation Meeting Held for the Development of Türkiye’s Integrated Border Management Strategy and Action Plan

Third Consultation Meeting Held for the Development of Türkiye’s Integrated Border Management Strategy and Action Plan

From September 24-26, 2024, the Third Consultation Meeting took place under the Drafting of the National Integrated Border Management (IBM) Strategy and Updating of the National Action Plan for Implementing Türkiye’s IBM Strategy (EU4IBMTR) Project, which is led by the Representation of ICMPD in Türkiye and primarily benefits the Presidency of Migration Management. Following the second consultation on August 29, this session aimed to further refine the IBM Strategy and Action Plan and to collect feedback from project stakeholders.

The meeting began with opening remarks by Ms. Selin Barutcuoğlu, Border Management Portfolio Manager at the Representation of ICMPD in Türkiye. Ms. Barutcuoğlu expressed her gratitude to all stakeholders from 16 institutions under seven ministries for their participation and highlighted the long-standing support of the Representation of ICMPD in Türkiye in integrated border management efforts. She also emphasized that this consultation would help frame Türkiye's future steps in border management.

Following Ms. Barutcuoğlu, Mr. Ozan Gazel, Director General of Border Management at the Directorate General of Migration Management, delivered his keynote. Mr. Gazel underscored the significance of border management in Türkiye, noting that the Directorate General, established by Presidential decree in November 2023, was designed to enhance the effectiveness and coordination of these efforts. He emphasized that the Strategy and Action Plan would serve as essential roadmaps for future initiatives in Türkiye’s border management and highlighted the crucial contributions of all stakeholders in this process.

In the meeting's second part, Mr. Habip Kubilay Demiray, Project Manager at the Representation of ICMPD in Türkiye, reviewed the topics discussed during the first and second consultations and introduced the agenda and methodology for the current meeting. Mr. Demiray stressed the importance of participant contributions and the feedback-driven agenda setting. He concluded his remarks by noting that thematic sessions would follow, focusing on various aspects of integrated border management.

After the opening remarks, institutions participating shared topics they found beneficial for inclusion in the updated IBM Strategy and Action Plan, along with identified needs, through their presentations. During the sessions on the second and third days, inter-institutional information was exchanged, joint steps discussed, and needs addressed in working groups. The meeting concluded with presentations from these groups.

Regarding the EU4IBMTR Project

The main objective of the EU-funded Drafting of a National Integrated Border Management (IBM) Strategy and Updating the National Action Plan for the Implementation of Türkiye’s IBM Strategy Project is to develop a national IBM Strategy tailored for Türkiye. This includes preparing an updated National Action Plan for its implementation and strengthening cooperation and coordination among IBM institutions in Türkiye and international stakeholders. The main beneficiary is the Directorate General of Border Management under the Presidency of Migration Management. The project is implemented in partnership with stakeholders in the border management field. For more information about the EU4IBMTR Project, please visit ICMPD Website.

Regarding ICMPD

Founded in 1993, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) is an international organisation with 21 Member States and close to 500 staff members. Active in more than 90 countries worldwide, ICMPD holds UN observer status and cooperates with more than 240 partners including EU institutions and UN agencies. The Vienna-based organisation’s representation in Türkiye has two offices, one in Ankara and the other in İstanbul.

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