Finding solutions for refugees: UNHCR calls for action

The final round of thematic discussions on a global compact on refugees will take place in Geneva next week (14 and 15 November), with UNHCR seeking concrete suggestions on how to more equitably share responsibility for refugee situations globally.

Discussions on Tuesday (14 November) will focus on boosting efforts to find solutions for refugees, including supporting conditions for the voluntary and sustainable return to countries of origin. The meeting will also examine how to expand opportunities for refugees to move to third countries (whether through resettlement or other pathways like family reunification, study or humanitarian visa schemes) and how local solutions can be made to work for refugees and host communities.

Wednesday’s meeting (15 November) will explore how to address root causes of large refugee movements, how a broader range of actors (including the private sector) can help, and how regional institutions can contribute to a comprehensive response. A side event on statelessness will also take place.

The aim of the conference is to produce concrete suggestions to be included in the programme of action section of the refugee compact, which will underpin the comprehensive refugee response framework (CRRF) and provide a platform for cooperation for more equitable and predictable sharing of responsibility for large refugee movements. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees was given the task of proposing a refugee compact by the UN General Assembly in last year’s New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants.

Next week’s meeting at the Palais des Nations will take place in room XIX. The main proceedings will be streamed live at webtv.un.org between 0900 and 1300, and 1400 and 1800. A limited number of seats will be available for accredited media in room XIX.

To promote discussion, UNHCR has put forward some preliminary suggestions in a concept paper.

Further information:

• Media enquiries: Ariane Rummery, [email protected] or +41 79 200 7617
• Conference programme