Legal identity is a crucial component of peoples’ lives, serving as a fundamental prerequisite for individuals to fully access their rights. Without proof of legal identity, people face barriers to exercising their human rights, obtaining services, accessing opportunities, and moving safely and regularly across borders – a challenge particularly affecting migrants.
Participants from different backgrounds gathered to exchange on legal identity and its future
Leading experts convened in the Netherlands on 18 and 19 November to explore these dynamics at the Legal Identity Conference “Expert Meeting 2040” (EM2040), co- by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Netherlands, under the framework partnership of the Cooperation on Migration and Partnerships to Achieve Sustainable Solutions (COMPASS) programme. EM2040’s discussions addressed advancements in identity management, covering topics such as artificial intelligence, data science, and ID ecosystems, while focusing on strengthening migrant protection and promoting best practices.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Warner Ten Kate, Head of the Migration and Development Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, emphasized the importance of collaboration:
“Legal identity is especially critical for migrants, who often face vulnerabilities in accessing and maintaining identity documents. By sharing best practices and working together across countries of origin, transit, and destination, we can pave the way for effective solutions, extending all the way to 2040.”
This event hosted 65 participants, including from academia, expert organizations, International Organizations and International Experts from Member States. The key objectives were to provide a platform for experts to learn, discuss, and help shape the 2040 agenda for identity management, as well as to share updates and insights in identity management. The discussion outcomes, along with key recommendations and lessons learned, were captured in the White Paper presented at the close of the meeting.
This event empowered participants with a deeper understanding of advancements in identity management, equipping them with the insights needed to effectively address and advocate for migrants’ needs within their national identity management systems.
Concluding the event, Nelson Gonçalves, Head of the Legal Identity Unit at IOM, remarked:
"EM2040 has been a clear opportunity to witness the importance of collaboration, innovation, and exchange. We have laid the foundation for a future where identity management systems are not only secure and efficient, but also inclusive and respectful of human rights."
IOM is committed to supporting Member States in strengthening and enhancing migration management to advance migrant protection, and to facilitate safe and orderly migration.
For more information on the COMPASS programme, visit : www.iom.int/compass
