Past editions – VMC2025

ICMPD’s annual flagship event, the Vienna Migration Conference (VMC), convened in October 2025 for its tenth edition, bringing together senior decision-makers, migration practitioners and thought-leaders at a moment of profound global change. The conference featured 15 live sessions, 48 speakers, and 341 in-person participants representing 46 countries, alongside 1,490 online registered participants connecting from around the world.

VMC2025 took place against the backdrop of shifting international dynamics, economic realignments, labour market pressures and protracted conflicts that continue to shape migration patterns and policies. Discussions focused on progress and challenges in implementing the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, the role of migration partnerships, global efforts to attract skills and talent, return and reintegration in diverse contexts – including post-conflict recovery – and the use of forecasting and data in migration governance. Further information about the conference themes can be found here.

The 10^th VMC also marked the final conference under the leadership of Michael Spindelegger, who concluded his tenure as Director General, marking a moment of leadership transition for ICMPD ahead of the appointment of Susanne Raab.

Meet the speakers who shaped the discussions at VMC2025.