High Commissioner to visit Japan and India

Briefing notes

High Commissioner to visit Japan and India

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

1 December 2006

High Commissioner António Guterres is scheduled to arrive in Japan on Monday for a three-day visit during which he will meet Foreign Minister Taro Aso, senior government officials, parliamentarians, NGOs and others. He will also deliver a keynote speech to a Human Security Symposium.

During his visit, Guterres is expected to meet former High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata, now president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, or JICA. UNHCR and JICA work closely in several countries. Japan is a key strategic partner in our work for refugees around the world. It is UNHCR's fifth largest donor, contributing US$63.1 million so far this year.

After Japan, Guterres will head to India for a two-day visit. He is expected to meet senior Indian government officials, heads of international organisations, diplomats, members of civil society, including the national Human Rights Commission, and UNHCR partners.