News item | 06-05-2026 | 9:00 PM
In New York, the Netherlands, together with 100 countries, made renewed agreements to gain more control over migration worldwide. The Netherlands has advocated more returns, combating human smuggling, better border management and attention to innovative solutions such as return hubs. In addition, Minister Van den Brink chaired a meeting with Syria on the importance of return and reconstruction.
Minister Van den Brink: “Migration does not stop at the Dutch borders. That is why it is good to make new agreements here in New York with more than 100 countries to get a better grip on migration. Ultimately, we must speak the same language and be able to make clear agreements. These days, the Netherlands is committed to more returns, a tough approach to human smuggling, strong border management and attention to innovative solutions such as return hubs.”
International Migration Review Forum
The Netherlands has made agreements with more than 100 countries to gain more control over migration worldwide. These agreements are a follow-up to the previous agreements that the Netherlands made in the Global Compact for Migration. The new agreements include goals that are part of the Dutch commitment to migration: more countries must take back people who are not entitled to stay in the Netherlands, more attention to innovative solutions such as return hubs, a tough approach to human smuggling and good border management. Renewed agreements have been made on the protection of the human rights of migrants. These agreements are laid down in a United Nations resolution.
Return and reconstruction Syria
Minister Van den Brink organized a meeting together with Syria to discuss return and reconstruction with important partners. European Commissioner Brunner and representatives of Denmark, Sweden, Turkey, Jordan, the United States and representatives of the United Nations participated in this meeting. The aim of the meeting was to discuss with as many parties as possible how we can ensure that the return of Syrians contributes to the reconstruction of Syria and at the same time how the Netherlands can already contribute to the reconstruction. The Netherlands and Syria have a common interest in this. In the near future, the Netherlands will set up projects with the European Commission and other member states to promote return and contribute to the reconstruction of Syria. The Netherlands will remain in intensive contact with the Syrian authorities about this in the near future.
