As global leaders converge in New York for the second International Migration Review Forum (IMRF), the need to reflect on the progress of the Global Compact for Migration becomes evident. This landmark agreement, established in 2018, aims to ensure safer migration practices worldwide. While challenges persist, particularly in regions like the Middle East and North Africa, the commitment to enhancing the plight of migrants remains a focal point of international discussions.
As governments gather in New York for the second International Migration Review Forum (IMRF), a pivotal assessment is underway regarding the effectiveness of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration. Adopted in 2018, this groundbreaking agreement represents the first attempt globally to address migration through cooperative and humane practices. While the International Organization for Migration’s Global Overview of Migration Routes (2025) reveals a complicated landscape of migration in the Middle East and North Africa, the overall picture suggests there is progress yet to be made.
Recent statistics from the IMRF indicate that while the number of arrivals in Italy and Malta via the Central Mediterranean Route remained steady at just over 66,500 in 2025, this figure masks deeper issues. Arrival numbers to Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria along the Eastern Mediterranean Route dipped by approximately 30%, while the Western Mediterranean Route experienced a slight increase. Notably, the Western African Atlantic Route to the Canary Islands reported a staggering 62% decrease. At first glance, these trends may suggest reduced pressure on European borders. However, the evidence tells a more complex story regarding migration safety.
Despite fewer arrivals overall in certain areas, the danger of the journey often increases. The Eastern Mediterranean Route saw deaths and disappearances nearly double within a year, while the Western African Atlantic Route maintained a grim fatality rate despite fewer crossings. Moreover, over 1,300 individuals lost their lives on the Central Mediterranean Route in 2025, making it one of the deadliest migration corridors in the world.
These statistics reflect a broader dynamic: as border controls tighten or existing routes shift, migrants often face longer, fragmented, and more perilous journeys. In the case of Sudan, which has evolved into the world’s largest displacement crisis following conflict since April 2023, it is evident how national crises can reshape regional mobility. Internally displaced persons in Sudan have surged to over 11.5 million, while nearly 4 million have attempted to return to their homes, many encountering severe challenges, including damaged housing.
The movement patterns in the MENA region are deeply interconnected with global migration trends. Notably, nearly one in three irregular arrivals in Europe originated from Asia and the Pacific in 2025, many of which route through North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean. Changes in visa policies, conflicts, and enforcement measures can reshape these movements on a grand scale.
The fundamental pressures driving migration in and around the MENA region are complex and multifaceted. With a youthful demographic facing high unemployment rates, often exceeding 20%, compounded by climate-related events and ongoing conflicts, the factors driving both internal displacement and cross-border migration are increasingly intricate.
In this context, there are critical policy priorities that need urgent attention. Firstly, search and rescue operations must evolve to meet changing realities in migration patterns, highlighting the moral imperative to save lives both at sea and on land. A decline in arrival numbers should not obscure the continuous risks migrants face.
Secondly, expanding safe and regular pathways is vital. When formal options are limited, people fleeing violence or economic distress often resort to hazardous routes. Developing labor mobility programs, family reunification options, and humanitarian pathways can significantly mitigate the risks migrants undertake.
Enhanced data collection and analysis must also be prioritized. Combining arrival statistics, intention surveys, and mortality data will improve understanding and policy formulation in response to migration pressures. Finally, intensified global cooperation is essential. With representatives from 130 states engaging in New York, a commitment to cooperative migration governance underscores the acknowledgment that a collective approach is paramount.
The IMRF marks a critical juncture for collaborative efforts aimed at reinforcing the rights and safety of migrants. By focusing on expanding safe migration pathways, ensuring worker protections, investing in data systems to save lives, and dismantling human trafficking networks, there lies an opportunity to engender thriving societies worldwide. Through concerted action and united resolve, the international community can foster a future where fewer lives are lost, and more individuals flourish.
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