On Wednesday 15th October 2025, the Rabat Process will host a thematic webinar on migration data for evidence-based policymaking in the Dialogue’s region.

Organised under the initiative of the Nigerian Chairmanship of the Dialogue, the online exchange will bring together representatives from partner countries and organisations of the Rabat Process alongside with leading experts from national authorities, migration observatories and national statistics offices. 

The discussions will directly support the priorities set out under Area 1 of the Cadiz Action Plan, particularly Objective 2, Action 4: “Sharing good practices in data collection and analysis, supporting migration research centres, and developing practical recommendations to better integrate migration issues into policymaking.”

This webinar marks a milestone as the first Cadiz Action Plan online event dedicated entirely to migration data. The discussions will look at recent international reforms, highlight the role of migration observatories and statistical offices, and chart pathways for migration data beyond 2030.

Why migration data matters more than ever

The dynamics of international migration are constantly evolving, creating a greater need for accurate, timely, and comparable data. Yet, collecting reliable migration statistics remains a complex task due to the multifaceted nature of migration journeys. While the importance of evidence for shaping comprehensive and forward-looking migration policies is widely recognised, gaps persist between data availability and its use in policymaking.

Global and regional platforms play a vital role in advancing knowledge exchange on migration data. Initiatives such as the International Forum on Migration Statistics foster the sharing of strategies, innovations and good practices at the global level, while regional dialogues - such as the Rabat Process - translate these global conversations into actionable priorities. 

The discussions will unfold across four sessions:

  • State of play: the current landscape of migration data and its role in shaping global and regional narratives.
  • Regional insights: challenges to reliable migration data and innovative practices to improve availability, comparability, and regional collaboration, drawing on perspectives from Europe and Africa.
  • Migration data in practice: how migration data can contribute to policymaking, zooming in the country-level action with examples from Rabat Process partner countries and national observatories.
  • Greater cooperation and partnerships on migration statistics: EU-Africa collaboration, capacity-building, and data harmonisation, exploring partnership models and strategies to strengthen interregional cooperation, align methodologies, and improve data comparability.

By convening diverse key stakeholders and experts, this webinar aims to advance a shared vision for stronger migration data systems, supporting more effective and evidence-based policymaking in the Rabat Process region and beyond.