Intergovernmental Consultations on Migration, Asylum and Refugees (IGC)

The Intergovernmental Consultations on Migration, Asylum and Refugees (IGC) is a forum co-founded by Switzerland in 1985 which currently has 17 member states.

IGC is an informal, multi-disciplinary, inter-regional and consultative process on migration and asylum issues. The IGC focuses on an exchange of national strategies, established practices and data.

Each year an IGC member chairs the forum on a migration-related topic. In addition to the IGC member states, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Commission regularly participate in IGC meetings. In addition, the IGC works closely with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OCDE), Frontex and the European Asylum Support Office (EASO).

The real work of the IGC is mainly done in working groups on the subjects of asylum/refugees, entry/control/enforcement, immigration, integration, technology and country analyses. Ad hoc workshops may also be held as and when necessary. Every year, two steering group meetings, the Senior Official Meetings, are held.

The forum has given Switzerland access to important migration-policy information and statistical data from other member states. This exchange of information and comparison with like-minded countries is extremely useful in formulating Swiss migration and asylum policy.

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Last modification 24.04.2021

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