2nd meeting of the High-Level Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Committee

On 17 March 2025, the Commission convened the second meeting of the High-Level Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Committee. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange on collective priorities for the future Union resettlement and humanitarian efforts, which will be reflected in the first-ever Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Plan to be implemented in 2026-2027. The Union Plan will provide indications on the total number of refugees to be admitted to the EU in the implementing period, based on the Member States’ voluntary contributions. It will be based on a Commission proposal to be tabled later this year, and eventually adopted by the Council.

The meeting brought together representatives from the European Parliament, the Council and all EU Member States, the EU Agency for Asylum, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and members of the civil society. Commissioner Brunner sent a video-message to welcome participants, where he stated that:

"Resettlement and humanitarian admission form a vital part of our commitment to safe and legal pathways for protection. The Committee is an important part of the new rules we have created to safeguard that commitment. [...] The discussion today will pave the way for the first ever Union plan, but will also inform the long-term European asylum and migration strategy, where the Commission will put forward its vision for the next five years."

Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner

Background

The Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework Regulation is the first legislative instrument of the Pact on Migration and Asylum that became applicable on 11 June 2024. Its entry into force marks a significant step towards a harmonised EU approach to resettlement and humanitarian admission.

The Resettlement Regulation provides a permanent and harmonised framework for resettlement and humanitarian admission to the EU. The Regulation aims to enhance legal pathways to protection to the EU and, at the same time, strengthen partnerships with third countries hosting large numbers of refugees, in line with the comprehensive approach of the Pact on Migration and Asylum.

The Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Plan lies at the core of the Regulation and will ensure its full implementation. The High-Level Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Committee bring together key actors to advance work in the implementation of the Regulation. The first meeting of the High-Level Committee took place on 7 November 2024.