Progress has been made, but further efforts are needed: this is the Commission’s assessment today of the progress made on the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the “new robust migration management system”, according to the Commission, which was adopted in June 2024 and is due to become fully operational in a year’s time. Progress has been made on the Eurodac database, according to the Commission, but some Member States have not yet entered the new system. Preparations for putting in place the new screening and border procedures are underway, but adequate locations, staff and resources are still lacking. Also, there is a need to improve the implementation of the new reception conditions and standards to prevent movements from one Member State to another. The Commission also notes that, to ensure fair, efficient and convergent asylum procedures, further efforts to reduce backlogs and delays are needed. Generally speaking, “for the Pact to function, Member States need to work on the basis of a fair sharing of responsibility”, as provided for in the new rules. This is also to allow for the proper functioning of the system, under which solidarity contributions between Member States will be determined. The Commission also underscores the need to update contingency plans and to make further efforts in the field of integration. The Commission, for its part, and EU agencies are supporting Member States, but the statement from Brussels highlights that “while progress is being made at technical level, sustained political engagement and ownership at national level remain essential to address the identified challenges effectively” and “achieve full readiness” by June 2026.