Objective
The Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development, known as the Rabat Process (RP), aims to create a framework for dialogue and consultation between national authorities in countries of origin, transit and destination along the migration routes connecting Central, West and North Africa to Europe.
How the Rabat Process works
The Rabat Process was launched in 2006. It is non-binding and brings together around 60 European and African countries, as well as the European Union and ECOWAS.
The Cadiz Action Plan
The Rabat Process is a framework for implementing specific initiatives based on the 2023–2027 Cadiz Action Plan. The Action Plan covers five thematic areas:
- Root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement
- Regular migration and mobility
- Protection and asylum
- Irregular migration and combating migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings
- Return, readmission and reintegration.
Switzerland's commitment
Switzerland has been actively involved in the Rabat Process since its launch in 2006. At the end of 2022, it became a permanent member of the Steering Committee and has been coordinating the implementation of the third thematic area (protection and asylum) since 2020. In 2026, Switzerland will assume the chairmanship of the Rabat Process. The Swiss chairmanship will focus on protection and asylum, as well as issues related to return, readmission and reintegration. It will organise several thematic meetings as well as the next summit of this dialogue platform in early 2027.
Last modification 28.01.2026
