Commission hosts Second International Conference of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling

The European Commission is hosting the Second International Conference of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling in Brussels today. The Conference brings together more than 80 delegations, many at ministerial level, from EU Member States and international partners, along with high representatives from international organisations, committed to strengthening global cooperation against migrant smuggling. President Ursula von der Leyen opened the event with a keynote speech.

The smuggling of migrants remains a grave concern, with criminal networks having links to other serious criminal offences, such as money laundering, corruption and trafficking in drugs. The Global Alliance is a key element of the Commissions approach to countering migrant smuggling worldwide, as underlined in the 2024-2029 political guidelines and in President Ursula von der Leyens 2025 State of the Union address.

President Ursula von der Leyen said: “It must be Europe that decides who comes to us and in what circumstances, not the people-smugglers and traffickers. Today, we join forces with our partners and take the Global Alliance to the next level. To prevent illegal journeys in the first place, to break the smugglers business and also to better inform and warn those targeted by the smugglers.”

Launch of a Joint Declaration on the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling

More than 50 Partners have today endorsed a Joint Declaration reaffirming their commitment to strengthen international cooperation against migrant smuggling. The Declaration sets out a joint way forward with three main pillars to:

Prevent migrant smuggling by strengthening national frameworks, exchanging information, and raising awareness on the risks of irregular migration; by working with digital platforms to curb smugglers increased use of digital tools; and by preventing the misuse of commercial transport to facilitate migrant smuggling by air.

Respond more effectively by reinforcing operational cooperation along migratory routes and giving a stronger role to Europol and the European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling; and by stepping up financial investigations to trace, seize and confiscate smuggling proceeds.

Develop alternatives to illegal migration, both in the countries of origin and of destination: By promoting safe and regular mobility pathways through tools like the EUs new Talent Pool and addressing the root causes of migration in countries of origin and transit.

Since its establishment in 2023, the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling has achieved significant results in disrupting smuggling operations and strengthening international cooperation. This year, irregular border crossings at the EUs external borders have fallen by 26% compared to last year, reflecting the impact of close collaboration with countries of origin and transit.

Moreover, important steps are taken at EU level including the agreement by co-legislators in September 2025 to reinforce Europols role in combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking, measures in June 2023 to prevent the use of air transport to facilitate irregular migration and the Commissions proposal in November 2023 for a Directive to establish minimum rules to prevent and counter the facilitation of unauthorised entry, transit and stay in the Union.

As a follow up to President von der Leyens State of the Union address 2025 the Commission took forward the work on establishing a new sanctions regime against smugglers and traffickers to freeze their assets, restrict their freedom of movement and deprive them of their profits. The Commission, together with the European External Action Service, are now consulting the Council on the key parameters for such a sanction regime before putting forward proposals.

The Commission is also supporting law enforcement and judicial authorities in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean through operational partnerships and capacity-building projects that bring EU Member States and partners together. In parallel, work is ongoing to step up alternatives to illegal migration and work closely with partners to address its root causes.

Next steps

The Global Alliance and its Joint Declaration will remain open for endorsement by additional partners and international organisations committed to strengthening collective efforts to counter migrant smuggling worldwide.

To better prevent migrant smuggling, the Commission, together with its partners will intensify efforts to curb the use of digital means and commercial transport to facilitate migrant smuggling and strengthen efforts to counter smugglers misinformation. It will also increase support to law enforcement and judicial cooperation with international partners, allocating €128.9 million for actions across the Western Balkans, Africa, Asia and Latin America by end-2026.

The Commission will also advance alternatives to illegal migration, developing the EU Talent Pool platform, promoting Talent Partnerships and launching the first pilot European Legal Gateway Office in India. Additional funding will reinforce voluntary return and reintegration in the Western Balkans, Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia by 2026 (€308 million) and programmes directed to offer better opportunities to the youth in West Africa (€100 million).

In parallel, the Commission will continue to support co-legislators in the negotiation of the proposal for a Directive to establish minimum rules to prevent and counter the facilitation of unauthorised entry, transit and stay in the Union.