EPLO’s agency, the Mediterranean Migration & Asylum Policy Hub (MedMA), organised the “Future of Protection Forum” on July 2, 2026, in Nicosia, Cyprus, under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection of the Republic of Cyprus and hosted by the School of Law of the University of Nicosia.
At a pivotal moment for European migration policy, as the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum begins, the Forum brought together policymakers, academics, international organisations and practitioners to examine the future of international protection and the challenges of building migration systems that are both effective and humane.
The discussions focused on how Europe can uphold the principles of international protection while responding to evolving geopolitical realities, operational pressures and changing societal expectations. Speakers explored key issues shaping the future of asylum governance, including the implementation of the new EU framework, human rights safeguards, responsibility-sharing, integration, returns, legal pathways and the role of international cooperation.
A central message emerging from the Forum was that the future of protection is not about reducing commitments, but about creating stronger, more credible and sustainable systems capable of delivering protection effectively while maintaining public trust. Participants emphasised that successful implementation of the EU Pact will depend not only on legislative reforms, but also on institutional capacity, cooperation among stakeholders and continued commitment to fundamental rights.
The Forum also highlighted the importance of viewing migration governance through a broader perspective, recognising the links between asylum, demographic change, public discourse narratives, labour mobility, integration and international partnerships. In this context, MedMA reaffirmed its role as a platform connecting research, policy and practice, fostering informed dialogue on the future of migration and asylum governance in the Mediterranean and beyond.
Read the full summary of the Forum on MedMA’s website here.
Watch the full discussion here.
