New EMN inform explores migration diplomacy and international cooperation strategies

A new inform sheds light on on the role of migration diplomacy in fostering international cooperation for effective migration management. 

Migration diplomacy has emerged as a crucial component of international migration policy among EMN Member and Observer Countries.  Seventeen  of these countries integrate it into their migration affairs, whilst six others  report limited engagement in migration diplomacy, largely due to their strategic alignment with the European Union’s initiatives, as well as limited national resources. For these countries, participating in EU-level migration diplomacy initiatives offers a more practical approach to international migration affairs than pursuing independent bilateral agreements.

The inform details a variety of instruments commonly used in migration diplomacy, such as bilateral agreements, memoranda of understanding (MoUs), declarations of intent, and the appointment of special envoys or diplomatic representatives. Bilateral agreements are among the most widely adopted instruments, addressing specific issues like readmission and visa facilitation or encompassing broader migration partnership agreements.
Though migration diplomacy can streamline international cooperation on migration, EMN Member and Observer Countries also encounter significant challenges in negotiating these agreements. Obstacles include the need for effective coordination at different levels of government, resource allocation, and the creation of sustainable frameworks that acknowledge each partner’s capabilities.

According to the inform, successful migration diplomacy hinges on several key factors, including political stability in partner countries, solid legal frameworks, and institutional coordination.

The EMN inform also categorises migration diplomacy approaches into “coercive migration diplomacy,” which relies on penalties or negative conditionality, and “cooperative migration diplomacy,” based on rewards or positive conditionality. While the policy outcomes of each approach vary according to the political and social contexts of the nations involved, both have proven influential in shaping migration diplomacy policies in sending, receiving, and transit countries.
The inform includes examples of migration diplomacy tools in non-EU OECD countries. These include the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration (2022), promoting cooperation across the Americas through four pillars consisting of stability, migration pathways, humane management, and emergency response; Australia's Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, providing jobs for Pacific islanders; and Japan's economic partnership agreements (EPAs), allowing nurses and care workers from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam to work in Japan with a pathway to indefinite residency.

The Inform aims to contribute to discussions on migration governance by emphasising the importance of cooperative frameworks and diplomatic strategies. The inform presents insights on policy effectiveness while identifying areas for improvement, offering a view of both the successes and challenges in managing migration on an international scale.

Download the inform here.

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