Vienna Migration Conference 2026
16-17 November
About VMC2026
The 11th edition of the VMC will take place on 16–17 November 2026 in Vienna, Austria. As ICMPD’s annual flagship event and the leading European forum on migration, the conference convenes policymakers, practitioners, researchers and representatives of international organisations, civil society and the private sector to exchange perspectives on migration governance, evolving policy challenges and potential responses.
At a time when migration continues to be shaped by fast-moving political, economic and security developments, strategic dialogue and trusted partnerships are essential. Now in its eleventh year, VMC has established itself as a platform where political direction and operational realities meet, and where partners align on priorities and identify opportunities for cooperation.
VMC2026 opens a new chapter. It is the first edition convened under ICMPD Director General Susan Raab, and it comes as the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum has moved into application and international partnerships are both tested and renewed. While much of the public migration debate responds to the pressures of the moment, this edition turns to what endures: the resilience of migration systems and the durability of migration partnerships.
The programme is organised around three umbrella themes:
- Migration partnerships in a changing geopolitical and security landscape
- Displacement, recovery and resilience in Europe’s neighbourhood
- Labour mobility, skills and changing global labour markets
The conference opens on Monday afternoon 16 November and continues through Tuesday 17 November. Both plenary days are livestreamed globally, extending the discussion well beyond the room. Further details on the programme and speakers will be shared in the coming weeks.
