The Mediterranean Migration & Asylum Policy Hub (MedMA), in collaboration with the School of Law of the University of Nicosia and under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection of the Republic of Cyprus, is organising The Future of Protection Forum, a high-level policy dialogue examining the future of refugee and migration protection.

The Forum will take place on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 17:00, at the UNESCO Amphitheatre, Europa Building, University of Nicosia.

As the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union draws to a close and the implementation of the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum begins, the Forum will provide a timely platform for reflection on the future of international protection. Bringing together policymakers, representatives of international organisations, academics, practitioners, and civil society, the event will explore how protection systems can adapt to an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving global landscape.

The world is changing at an unprecedented pace. Climate displacement, evolving migration routes, technological developments, demographic shifts, and geopolitical uncertainty are reshaping how we think about protection, mobility, and human rights. Against this backdrop, the Forum will ask a central question:

What will refugee and migration protection look like in ten years?

Participants will examine whether existing refugee and migration protection frameworks remain fit for purpose and discuss the continued relevance of the international refugee protection regime in addressing emerging challenges. The dialogue will also explore the role of international cooperation, innovative policy responses, and complementary pathways in building protection systems that are effective, rights-based, and prepared for the future.

The event will feature a keynote address by Dr. Nicholas A. Ioannides, Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection of the Republic of Cyprus, followed by a panel discussion with distinguished experts from European and international institutions.

The Forum is free of charge and open to the public. Those interested in attending are invited to register via the following form: https://forms.office.com/e/TmR6S5nh8p

The event will be conducted in English.

Click here to download the programme and the speakers’ biographies.

For further information, please contact:

Kyriaki Chatzipanagiotou, Policy Officer, MedMA
Email: kyriaki@med-ma.eu
Tel.: +357 99 102722