City
Epaper

UNHCR to launch first Global Refugee Forum

By IANS | Updated: June 25, 2019 06:50 IST

The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR said on Monday that the first ever Global Refugee Forum, a ministerial-level event, will take place on December 17 and 18 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Open in App

The event will be co-hosted with Switzerland and co-convened by Turkey, Germany, Ethiopia, and Costa Rica and the secretary-general of the United Nations is expected to attend, said UNHCR, the Xinhua news agency reported.

"Refugee situations send ripples across entire regions and beyond," said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

"Dealing with displacement challenges cannot be done alone and requires unity of vision and ambition among all countries, coupled with real, concrete action."

Such action, he said, is the goal of the Global Compact on Refugees and it is what the United Nations will be working towards through the Global Refugee Forum.

With tens of millions of people affected by war, conflict, and persecution, UNHCR said the Global Refugee Forum will be an opportunity for countries to take stock of today's situation and to strengthen the international response.

It follows the new Global Compact on Refugees that was agreed to last December by the UN General Assembly, and the December meeting is part of its implementation.

UNHCR said the Global Compact on Refugees, along with the principle of equitable burden and responsibility-sharing, seeks to improve the global response to refugee situations.

It does this by providing stronger support to the countries and communities welcoming refugees and simultaneously equipping refugees with the means to become more self-reliant.

It also aims to increase resettlement spots for the most vulnerable refugees and other legal pathways for admission to safe third countries, and improve conditions in the refugees' countries of origin.

"The Global Refugee Forum is a unique occasion for States and others to come together and announce bold, new measures they will take to ease pressure on host countries, boost refugee self-reliance, and search for solutions," said UNHCR.

The forum will bring together governments, international organisations, local authorities, civil society, the private sector, host community members, and refugees themselves.

( With inputs from IANS )

Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalWhite House shuns Pak media reports on potential Trump visit

International"Trump still supports Syria's pathway to a peaceful country": White House

InternationalTrump "would not recommend" a special prosecutor to investigate Jeffrey Epstein case: White House

InternationalPahalgam terror attack: US designates Lashkar's proxy TRF as 'Foreign Terrorist Organisation'

InternationalTrump diagnosed with 'common' vein condition explaining his swollen legs

International Realted Stories

InternationalTrump to meet UK PM from July 25-29 to discuss trade deal

InternationalNo discussions underway for Russia-India-China meeting: Sources

InternationalKnowledge Fund Establishment, National Bonds Corporation announce launch of new phase of Young Investor Program

InternationalDubai Chambers launches Dubai Hub London

InternationalMohammed bin Rashid issues decree appointing Rashid Al Matrooshi as Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Civil Defence