Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, is hosting the 2026 Annual Operations Planning Event in Warsaw from 17 to 19 March. The event brings together senior representatives of EU Member States, Schengen-associated countries, and non-EU countries who take part in planning the operational activities that Frontex coordinates.
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Frontex hosts annual operations planning event in Warsaw
2026-03-18
About the event
Now in its third year, the event has grown into a key forum for the people who plan Frontex’s joint operations. More than 100 participants are attending this year. Over three days, they will review what worked in 2025, discuss ongoing operations in 2026, and set out plans for 2027.
A particular focus this year is the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which comes into application on 12 June 2026 and will bring significant changes to how screening will be carried out. Preparations for Pact implementation are a central topic across several sessions. The programme also includes bilateral discussions between Frontex and individual participating countries on their operational response plans for 2027.
Day one
The opening session featured a planning update from Lotje Van Der Made, Director of the Operations Planning Division, who placed particular emphasis on “the maximisation of both efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of Frontex support to EU Member States with full consideration for fundamental rights along with the need for expertise and insights from the Member States.”
Topics on the agenda include:
Joint operations in 2027: planning, operational activities, and Frontex’s work with partner organisations
Ongoing operations in 2026: Quick Reaction Forces, maritime operations, and joint action days
Screening under the Pact on Migration and Asylum, and digital border management tools including the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)
Evaluation of joint operations, compliance, and fundamental rights
Occupational safety and health, data protection, and field security
Learn more about how Frontex is supporting Member States to implement the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
