President of the Republic Joseph Aoun welcomed Lebanon’s signing of an agreement with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), aimed at formalizing the organization’s legal and institutional presence in Lebanon and expanding cooperation on migration management.
During a meeting with ICMPD Director General Susanne Raab at Baabda Palace on Tuesday, Aoun said the agreement would provide a formal framework for the organization’s continued operations in Beirut, enabling it to expand its activities and launch longer-term programs in coordination with Lebanese institutions.
The President outlined the challenges Lebanon has faced from successive waves of displacement, particularly the influx of Syrians since 2011.
He stressed that Lebanon could no longer accommodate additional displaced Syrians and was coordinating with Syrian authorities to organize their return in stages following political changes in Syria.
Aoun called on the international community and humanitarian organizations to redirect assistance currently provided to displaced Syrians in Lebanon toward supporting them in their homeland, thereby encouraging their return.
He also emphasized that the Lebanese Army and security agencies were working to prevent Lebanese territory from being used as a transit route for irregular migration to Europe.
For her part, Raab reaffirmed ICMPD’s commitment to supporting Lebanon through technical assistance, training and enhanced institutional cooperation, highlighting the country’s strategic role as a partner for Europe and the Mediterranean region.
She outlined several ongoing initiatives, including an integrated border management project designed to strengthen surveillance capabilities while facilitating travel and trade, the development of Lebanon’s integrated maritime strategy, and the upgrading of the Land Border Regiments’ training school to establish Lebanon as a regional training hub.
Established in 1993 and headquartered in Vienna, ICMPD works with governments on migration policy, border management, combating irregular migration and migrant smuggling, voluntary return, reintegration and institutional capacity-building.
During a meeting with ICMPD Director General Susanne Raab at Baabda Palace on Tuesday, Aoun said the agreement would provide a formal framework for the organization’s continued operations in Beirut, enabling it to expand its activities and launch longer-term programs in coordination with Lebanese institutions.
The President outlined the challenges Lebanon has faced from successive waves of displacement, particularly the influx of Syrians since 2011.
He stressed that Lebanon could no longer accommodate additional displaced Syrians and was coordinating with Syrian authorities to organize their return in stages following political changes in Syria.
Aoun called on the international community and humanitarian organizations to redirect assistance currently provided to displaced Syrians in Lebanon toward supporting them in their homeland, thereby encouraging their return.
He also emphasized that the Lebanese Army and security agencies were working to prevent Lebanese territory from being used as a transit route for irregular migration to Europe.
For her part, Raab reaffirmed ICMPD’s commitment to supporting Lebanon through technical assistance, training and enhanced institutional cooperation, highlighting the country’s strategic role as a partner for Europe and the Mediterranean region.
She outlined several ongoing initiatives, including an integrated border management project designed to strengthen surveillance capabilities while facilitating travel and trade, the development of Lebanon’s integrated maritime strategy, and the upgrading of the Land Border Regiments’ training school to establish Lebanon as a regional training hub.
Established in 1993 and headquartered in Vienna, ICMPD works with governments on migration policy, border management, combating irregular migration and migrant smuggling, voluntary return, reintegration and institutional capacity-building.
