On 27 October 2026, the Budapest Process held a webinar on missing migrants, bringing together representatives of 27 countries and 10 organisations for the first dedicated discussion on this issue within the Dialogue.
Organised by the Budapest Process Secretariat at the initiative of Switzerland, the webinar provided an opportunity to exchange experiences, examine challenges and explore ways to strengthen cooperation on missing migrants and support for their families.
The webinar contributed to implementation of the Budapest Process Ministerial Declaration and Call for Action 2025–2030. Under Priority Goal 5, Budapest Process countries and partners organisations call for enhanced efforts to prevent the disappearance of migrants, refugees and other persons in need of international protection, clarify the whereabouts of missing persons to the extent possible, and provide information to their families.
Opening remarks were delivered by Türkiye in its capacity as Chair of the Budapest Process, Switzerland and the Budapest Process Secretariat. The webinar highlighted the growing relevance of missing migrants for the Silk Routes region. Data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicate that more than 11.000 recorded migrant deaths and disappearances since 2014 along migration routes within and connected to the region. These data also show that the share of recorded migrant deaths and disappearances worldwide involving nationals of Silk Routes countries increased from approximately 1% in 2014 to 23% in 2025, accounting for nearly one in four recorded cases globally.
Following an introductory presentation by the Budapest Process Secretariat highlighting key concepts, data trends involving nationals of Silk Routes countries and the relevance of the issue to the Budapest Process commitments, representatives of the Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in Pakistan shared practical experiences of assisting families searching for missing relatives. Drawing on individual cases, they highlighted challenges related to accessing information, identifying responsible authorities, cross-border coordination and the absence of formal referral mechanisms.
Building on such frontline examples, presentations then addressed how different institutions are responding to these challenges. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) presented findings from its Missing Migrants Project, challenges in data collection, and opportunities to strengthen national capacities, information-sharing and cross-border cooperation among countries of origin, transit and destination. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) outlined key gaps in preventing disappearances, searching for and identifying missing migrants, and supporting their families. The Swiss Red Cross presented the work of the global Restoring Family Links Network, including its role in tracing missing persons and addressing the humanitarian and psychosocial consequences for families.
Finally, Switzerland shared insights from the Network of Focal Points on Missing Migrants under the Rabat Process, illustrating how regional migration dialogues can facilitate cooperation, information exchange and more coordinated responses among participating countries.
Discussions highlighted the need for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, bringing together relevant authorities, humanitarian organisations and civil society to respond to cases of missing migrants. Participants emphasised the importance of improving cross-border information-sharing, establishing clear national contact points and strengthening coordination between institutions involved in tracing and identification. Ensuring that families can access reliable information and appropriate support was central to these exchanges.
Participants also considered capacity gaps and opportunities for practical cooperation, knowledge exchange and capacity-building through regional dialogue. As the first dedicated meeting on the issue within the Budapest Process, the webinar provided a starting point for raising awareness, exploring further cooperation on missing migrants and support for their families.
