The 2024 World Border Security Congress which took place on 24-26 April in Istanbul, convened top policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders from across the globe to discuss the present and future challenges within the realm of border management, security, and migration management.
On behalf of MARRI, the event was attended by MARRI RC Director Snezana Trajanovska, MSc. who was a guest speaker at the Closed Agency Only Workshop “Inter-Agency Cooperation and Information Sharing”. In the absence of a formal global organization for border agencies, the Closed Agency Only Workshops serve as a vital mechanism, resource, and platform for agencies to discuss international cooperation.
In her address, Director Trajanovska spoke about the issues of migration in the globalized world, particularly about the urgency for development and alignment of the Western Balkans systems with the EU standards. She emphasized the importance of financial and technical assistance to the region through different mechanisms among which the Pre-accession Assistance Instrument (IPA 2021-2027). In the context of MARRI’s role in reducing irregular migration towards the EU, she stressed the significance of the regional cooperation between the relevant migration-related structures in the Western Balkans by sharing good practices on migration management; acting jointly with EU Agencies / international organizations dealing with migration issues; and by participation in regional projects, programs, and initiatives in different formats. Above all, she highlighted the unique and the most favourable position of MARRI to contribute to achieving the shared goals.
The three-day Agenda of 2024 WBSC also included workshops and panel discussions on topics on migration management regarding organised crime as cover for migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings; advancing social-economic cross-border relations through technology and cooperation; future requirements for traveller verification at European borders; document frauds; terrorism and countering terrorism; maritime border challenges; challenges for small ports and airfields; technology workshops; site visits; etc.
MARRI is a strong supporter of the World Border Security Congress and progressively increases its involvement and contribution to this high-level event. WBSC’s debates on policies, implementation issues, and new technologies are invaluable sources of knowledge and have a great impact on the regional efforts towards safe and secure border and migration management.