On 29 May, the Division on Migration and Refugees (DMR)participated in a retreat which was organised in Geneva by the Cyprus Mission to the UN in the context of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. The head of the Division, Nikos Sitaropoulos, spoke in the panel which included discussion on evidence-based communication on migration and policy making. He presented the DMR’s actions since February 2025 in promoting fact-based communication on migration, on which the organisers also had drawn upon when planning this retreat. Particular mention was made of the relevant DMR resources such as the Migration Key Facts Sheet, the FAQ document on ECHR and migration, and of the Roundtable on fact-based communication organised in Strasbourg in November 2025.

Discussions with participants coming from EU member states, UNHCR, IOM and IFRC highlighted the need for more and systematic action at national and international levels in order to counter misinformation and enhance evidence-based communication concerning migration. This requires a multi-layered approach and synergies of all national stakeholders, with international organisations remaining available to provide guidance, support and assistance.