Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

2197 (XXI)

XXI. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE

2197. Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

The General Assembly,

Having considered the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees¹ and having heard his statement,²

Taking note of the progress achieved in all the countries of the world where the Office of the High Commissioner is carrying out its activities, in the field of the international protection of refugees and in the search for permanent solutions to their problems through voluntary repatriation, voluntary integration in countries of asylum or resettlement in other countries,

Considering the increasing number and scope of refugee problems in Africa and in other regions of the world, and the additional responsibilities incumbent upon the High Commissioner as a result of the extension of his activities to new countries, most of which are in a developing stage,

Recalling its resolution 2040 (XX) of 7 December 1965, in which particular attention is given to the question of the assistance of refugees in Africa,

Noting with concern the serious financial crisis at present affecting the assistance programme of the High Commissioner,

1. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to continue to provide international protection to refugees who are his concern, within the limits of his competence, and to promote permanent solutions to their problems:

(a) By facilitating their voluntary repatriation through any steps he may consider appropriate and in conformity with the humanitarian character of his mandate;

(b) By facilitating the voluntary and rapid settlement of these refugees in the countries of asylum and by making available to these countries, especially developing countries, a maximum of aid, taking into account the specific requirements existing in each country of asylum;

(c) By assuring that in developing countries the plans for the economic and social integration of refugees, pending their possible inclusion in the economic and social programmes carried out by the competent organs and specialized agencies of the United Nations, are properly co-ordinated with those programmes, and also with such other programmes as might be carried out by regional organizations;

2. Requests the competent organs and specialized agencies of the United Nations, when considering development plans, to take into account, at the request of the Governments concerned, the needs of the refugees;

3. Invites States Members of the United Nations and members of the specialized agencies to give their full support to the High Commissioner in the accomplishment of his humanitarian task and to place at his disposal the financial means necessary for the completion of his assistance programme.

1495th plenary meeting,
16 December 1966.

1 Official Records of the General Assembly, Twenty-first Session, Supplement No. 11 (A/6311/Rev.1) and Supplement No. 11A (A/6311/Rev.1/Add.1).

2 Ibid., Twenty-first Session, Third Committee, 1447th meeting, paras. 1-22.