is Excellency the Minister of Interior, Mazen Al-Faraya, participated in the tenth edition of the Vienna Conference on Migration, held this year in the Austrian capital, Vienna, amidst increasing challenges facing neighboring countries, in light of worsening regional crises and the continued influx of refugees.

Al-Faraya began his participation by meeting with his Austrian counterpart, Gerhard Karner, where the two sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and security cooperation, and support the voluntary return of Syrian refugees. Al-Faraya reviewed Jordan's efforts to host refugees and provide quality education and healthcare services, affirming Jordan's commitment to creating the appropriate conditions for their return. He also expressed his gratitude to the European Union and Austria for their continued support.

Al-Faraya also met with the Swedish Minister of Migration, John Forssell, and the meeting focused on the readiness of the Ministry of Interior and its various agencies to leverage their expertise and human, technical, and operational capabilities to achieve stability in Syria, develop its various agencies and administration, and advance its development process.

Al-Faraya participated as a speaker in the main dialogue session of the Vienna Conference on Migration, explaining that Jordan currently hosts 3.5 million refugees from 43 countries, including 1.4 million Syrians. Fewer than 100,000 of these reside in camps, while the rest live integrated into Jordanian cities and communities. He added that Jordan provides them with quality healthcare, education, and job opportunities, despite the significant pressure this places on infrastructure and resources, especially water, as the per capita annual quota does not exceed 61 cubic meters.
Al-Faraya also explained that, given the length of the Jordanian-Syrian border (378 km), intensive efforts are being made with our Syrian brothers to protect and control this border and limit drug and weapons smuggling. Approximately 8 million Captagon pills were seized this year.
Regarding the return of refugees, Al-Faraya explained that the number of voluntary returnees remains limited in the absence of a safe and conducive environment for return. He warned that continued instability in the region could lead to a new wave of refugees that countries are unable to absorb.

In this context, Minister Al-Faraya called for Europe to open legal immigration channels for skilled workers from the Kingdom in sectors such as information technology and health. He also called for increased funding to support refugees, given the limited support, as support for the 2025 Syrian Crisis Response Plan has reached only 12%.

Al-Faraya stressed the need to achieve stability in Syria as the fundamental solution to reducing migration and ensuring regional peace.

In response to a question about opportunities for international cooperation on the issue of migration, Al-Faraya said:
"The equation is clear: every person needs security, employment opportunities, and basic services. If they don't find them, they will look for them anywhere in the world. We must work together to ensure these requirements are available in their country."

Al-Faraya emphasized the importance of strengthening the European Union's engagement in the region and continuing to support host countries, especially in the areas of health, water, and job opportunities. He concluded his remarks by warning that "Syria represents an opportunity, and if it is lost, we will witness a new wave of refugees."

The speakers, led by Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, praised the Kingdom's pivotal role in hosting refugees and maintaining stability in a turbulent region. The Austrian minister expressed his gratitude to Jordan for the warm welcome during his visit last March, which included a visit to the Zaatari camp, saying: "You provide security and safety and are doing a great job for refugees and for our countries." The meetings were attended by the Jordanian Ambassador to Austria, Mohammad Hindawi. The Vienna Migration Conference is an annual international platform that brings together ministers and high-level representatives from Europe and the Middle East and North Africa region to discuss issues of migration, asylum, and regional cooperation.