EU–Mali: A Partnership for Mobility and Development

EU–Mali: Building a Sustainable Partnership for Mobility and Development

Dialogue Mission to Brussels – May 2025

From 12 to 16 May 2025, European Strategic Initiative (ESI), in partnership with the Association for the Development and Integration of Malians Abroad (ADIME), organised a dialogue mission in Brussels bringing together a Malian delegation composed of local elected representatives, civil society representatives, entrepreneurs, young leaders and members of the diaspora.

The initiative aimed to foster exchanges between Malian stakeholders, European institutions and Belgian partners on migration, local development and prospects for cooperation between Mali and the European Union.

The mission took place against the backdrop of evolving European migration policies and the challenges facing the Sahel region. Discussions focused in particular on migration governance, the role of diasporas, youth employment, local economic development, territorial cooperation, as well as the links between mobility, stability and development.

The delegation was received by several European institutions, including the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) and the Office of the European Union Special Representative for the Sahel. Exchanges also took place with Belgian partners, including Enabel and the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The mission provided an opportunity to establish direct dialogue between Malian and European stakeholders on issues of common interest, while contributing to a better understanding of expectations, constraints and opportunities for cooperation among the various parties involved.

It also illustrated the importance of dialogue platforms that help bridge perspectives, identify areas of convergence and build partnerships rooted in local realities.