Conference: “To Greener Pastures – and Back: A Global Outlook on Migration”

Budapest, March 24, 2026 – Beatriz de León Cobo, Executive Director of the Spanish Institute for Migration Analysis (IEAM), participated in an international panel entitled “To Greener Pastures – and Back: A Global Outlook on Migration”, organized by the Danube Institute.

The discussion, which brought together experts from diverse backgrounds, focused on several key issues:

• The potential impact of geopolitical instability on migration flows;
• Changes in the EU asylum framework, notably the expansion of the notions of “safe country of origin” and “safe third country”;
• Recent developments in Spanish migration policy.

The Spanish bilateral approach: encouraging results, long-term viability uncertain

On this occasion, Beatriz de León Cobo presented an analysis of the evolution of Spain’s migration management strategy. She highlighted the development of bilateral agreements with several African countries, including Senegal, which go beyond simple return policies.

These agreements include cooperation between security and maritime authorities, as well as initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of irregular migration. While early results on the routes to the Canary Islands appear promising, she noted that it is still too early to assess the long-term viability of these measures.

Economic factors at the heart of migration dynamics

More broadly, the Executive Director of IEAM emphasized that economic factors are the main driver of irregular migration from Africa. Using Senegal as an example, where nearly 100,000 young people enter the labor market each year with limited employment prospects, she highlighted that the lack of local opportunities constitutes a structural incentive for emigration – a challenge that requires long-term solutions beyond border control policies alone.