Although migration has always been a phenomenon at the core of the dynamics characterizing the Mediterranean, the factors triggering displacements have changed. At present, the situation has become more complex, and today it is necessary to identify and understand the drivers of migration in order to integrate them in a model of sustainable development, so as to successfully face the major challenges brought by this situation. How can Agriculture and Rural and Coastal Development help in mitigating distress migration and building resilience? In light of these multiple and interconnected challenges, agriculture and rural development can provide new insights and actions towards practical and effective solutions to mitigate and better manage the distress migration phenomenon. Indeed, instability, poverty, and marginalization of rural and coastal areas, especially related to land access, food insecurity, depleted natural resources, extreme climatic events, underemployment, lack of opportunities and conflicts are among the factors which compel populations to leave their territories. Thus, agricultural and rural development policies ensuring food security, rational use of natural resources, sustainable rural development, job creation in value chains, as well as social cohesion can contribute to mitigating distress mobility. Agriculture and fishing improvement within a broader context of rural and coastal development can provide both the major keys to understanding and the indispensable tools to meet the challenges brought by the issue of migration. It is our mission to make the best use of them to strengthen and ensure the resilience of the rural communities towards the major changes and crises of the 21st century. To this end, the CIHEAM is strongly committed to contributing to the expertise and solution development through the three strands of actions constituting its overall mission: (i) production of knowledge, (ii) implementation of concrete actions, projects and programs, and (iii) political dialogue.