Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – On 9 November, the Embassy of Italy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in BiH organized an event as part of the project “Strengthening the community- and evidence-based migration response in Bosnia and Herzegovina and enhancing data collection on migrants in the Western Balkans” funded by the Migration Fund of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The project supports the expansion of IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) activities in the Western Balkans, with the aim to collect data on the mobility, vulnerability and needs of irregular migrants in and out of official reception facilities, and disseminate multilayered information to inform policy makers, practitioners and frontline actors.

The event provided an opportunity to discuss trends and perspectives on the presence of migrants in BiH and the Western Balkans, as well as current migration flows and factors of mobility in some of the main countries of origin of migrants present in the Western Balkans, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Displacement tracking in Turkey and along Eastern Mediterranean Route to Europe was also discussed as a critical element to anticipate migration flows and mobility, and adopt responsive strategies.

The Advisor to the Minister of Security, Saša Kecman, and the Director of the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs, Mirsad Buzar, underlined the progress accomplished in BiH since the start of the DTM activities in March 2021 and the need for continued cooperation to improve the availability and reliability of migration data. In this regard, all Parties present reiterated their will to strengthen collaboration and technical expertise in this critical sector while Italy confirmed its full support and interest in improving migration management systems and response through data collection and evidence-based programming.

Lastly, the Ambassador of Italy to Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Marco di Ruzza and the IOM Chief of Mission in BiH, Laura Lungarotti, acknowledged the excellent relationships established with relevant authorities in BiH, and the shared commitment to collect and utilize accurate and disaggregated data to foster well-informed public discourses and policies, in line with the objectives set by the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration which all countries in the Western Balkans have voted for.