Summary
Switzerland is taking over the presidency of the Rabat Process in 2026, a Euro-African dialogue on migration and development, replacing Nigeria. The forum comprises approximately 60 countries from North, West and Central Africa as well as Europe and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The Swiss presidency focuses on protection, asylum, as well as return and reintegration of migrants. Switzerland will organize several thematic sessions and a summit in early 2027, using this role to strengthen its migration foreign policy towards the European Union and African countries.
People
- Nigeria (Previous presidency)
Topics
- Migration and development
- International dialogue platforms
- Protection and asylum
- Return and reintegration
Clarus Lead
Switzerland is taking over the leadership of one of the most important international migration forums in 2026 – the Rabat Process with 60 participating countries. This responsibility signals Bern's growing role in global migration policy and provides Switzerland with a platform to advance its priorities on protection and return of migrants. The presidency coincides with an anniversary year and enables Switzerland to strategically deepen its relations with African countries and the EU.
Clarus Performance (Mandatory)
Clarus Research: The Rabat Process was founded in 2006 and comprises 28 African and 29 European states plus supranational actors such as the EU and ECOWAS – one of the largest regional migration dialogues worldwide.
Classification: The Swiss presidency reflects a strategic interest in migration control and cooperation: protection/asylum addresses humanitarian obligations, while return/readmission targets repatriation policy – a balancing act between receiving countries and countries of origin.
Consequence: Relevant for decision-makers: Switzerland can anchor its migration priorities in 60 countries through this presidency and thereby concretize its foreign policy in this area; at the same time, expectations arise for solutions to transit and return issues.
Detailed Summary
The Rabat Process is an established forum for structured dialogue between countries of origin, transit and destination in the migration and development sector. With 28 African and 29 European members as well as organizations such as the EU and the West African Economic Community (ECOWAS), it covers a geographically and politically broad spectrum. Since its founding in 2006, the forum has established itself as a platform for coordinated and balanced solutions.
Switzerland has been actively involved since the beginning and has been sitting on the steering committee since 2022. The 2026 presidency will be characterized by three thematic priorities: protection and asylum, return, readmission and reintegration. This focus corresponds to both Switzerland's national priorities and international expectations for a balanced migration policy.
In addition to several thematic sessions, Switzerland is planning a summit for early 2027. The presidency year will also be marked by celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the process, giving Switzerland an opportunity to underscore its continuity and reliability in this area.
Key Messages
- Switzerland is taking over the leadership of a forum with 60 participating countries from Africa and Europe in 2026.
- Priorities are protection, asylum, return and reintegration of migrants.
- The presidency strengthens Switzerland's migration foreign policy towards the EU and African countries.
- A summit in early 2027 and anniversary celebrations mark the presidency year.
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Group | Role |
|---|---|
| Switzerland | Presiding country; sets agenda and organizes events |
| Nigeria | Previous presidency; transfers leadership |
| 28 African states | Countries of origin and transit; participants in dialogue |
| 29 European states | Destination countries; participants in dialogue |
| EU & ECOWAS | Supranational actors; supporters of the process |
| Migrants & Refugees | Affected parties; focus on protection and reintegration |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Switzerland positions itself as a reliable migration dialogue partner | High expectations for concrete solutions may be disappointed |
| Strengthening bilateral relations with Africa and the EU | Diverging national interests complicate consensus-building |
| Platform for humanitarian and protection standards | Return/readmission focus could be perceived as too restrictive |
| Anniversary provides momentum for reform proposals | Resource-intensive presidency |
Relevance for Action
For decision-makers at home and abroad:
- Monitor: What concrete agreements emerge from the thematic sessions in 2026? How does Switzerland position itself on return rates and protection standards?
- Decide: How can Switzerland use its presidency role to reconcile national migration priorities (control vs. humanity) with international expectations?
- Indicators: Participation numbers at the 2027 summit, number of signed agreements, media resonance in African and European countries.
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements verified (presidency change, member numbers, founding year)
- [x] No unconfirmed data identified
- [x] Source data (press release) rated as reliable
- [x] No apparent bias or political one-sidedness
Supplementary Research
⚠️ No additional sources available in metadata. Recommended research topics for further exploration:
- Previous successes and criticism of the Rabat Process
- Comparison with other regional migration dialogues (e.g., Khartoum Process)
- Swiss migration policy 2024–2025 as context for presidency prioritization
Bibliography
Primary Source:
State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) – Press Release: "Switzerland Takes Over Presidency of the Rabat Process in 2026" – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/4ye8C5Sc73z-BiyMc8SDb
Verification Status: ✓ Facts checked on 29 January 2026
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Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 29 January 2026