The declaration was signed by Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Laura Camilla Sarabia Torres, and German Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, during a bilateral meeting held in Berlin. According to both parties, the agreement represents a decisive step in building a virtuous migration alliance that benefits both nations while addressing shared challenges in human mobility.

“This Declaration sends a strong message about how we work together in education, technology, migration, employment and confronting common challenges,” stated Minister Sarabia. “Colombia seeks to consolidate a virtuous migration partnership and deepen cooperation in human mobility. We are truly grateful that Germany is not only an ally but a strategic partner and a friend.”

In her remarks, Minister Faeser highlighted Colombia’s importance not only in combating organised crime and irregular migration, but also as a source of young, skilled professionals. She noted that while asylum applications from Colombian nationals dropped by 42% in the first three months of 2025 compared to the previous year, Germany is keen to attract qualified workers in sectors facing critical labour shortages.

The German government’s Special Commissioner for Migration Agreements, Dr. Joachim Stamp, praised the positive outcomes already achieved since the launch of the Migration Partnership Steering Group in December 2024. He emphasized that cooperation, trust and clarity in migration pathways are key for continued progress.

“We are reducing asylum claims without prospects of success while encouraging people to fulfil requirements for legal migration to our labour market or to pursue education and training opportunities in Germany,” Dr. Stamp explained.

The partnership also aims to improve communication on legal migration opportunities to Germany, particularly in labour sectors with high demand, and to raise awareness about the risks of irregular migration.

The cooperation has included high-level visits in both directions, including Minister Faeser’s official trip to Bogotá in March 2024 and Dr. Stamp’s visits to Colombia in February and December 2024. These meetings paved the way for the Binational Migration Alliance Steering Group, which brings together experts from both governments’ ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Labour, Education, and migration agencies.

To further advance the implementation of this agreement, Dr. Stamp will lead a new delegation to Colombia from April 24th, 2025, meeting with Colombian authorities and carrying out a series of institutional visits in Bogotá and other regions.

Germany’s comprehensive migration partnerships currently include similar agreements with India, Georgia, Kenya, Uzbekistan, and a wide-ranging partnership established with Morocco in January 2024. These initiatives have yielded initial successes in reducing irregular migration, improving cooperation on readmissions, and enhancing labour migration frameworks.

The Germany-Colombia Migration Alliance stands out as a model of constructive, mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of migration management and skilled mobility — one that both governments intend to strengthen further in the months ahead.

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