Resettlement and Complementary Pathways: Visit of Eight Country Delegates to Malaysia

From 20 to 22 October 2026, UNHCR Malaysia hosted a mission of the Priority Situation Core Group (PSCG), a State-led multilateral forum dedicated to advancing refugee resettlement and complementary pathways. The mission brought together 19 participants from eight countries: Australia, Canada, Finland, Ireland, New Zealand (Chair of PSCG), the Netherlands, the Philippines and the United Kingdom, as well as representatives from the European Union, UNHCR and IOM.

PSCG delegates met with refugee communities, civil society organizations and SUHAKAM (the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) and undertook site visits to programmes supporting refugee livelihoods, education and healthcare.

The mission provided an opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of Malaysia's refugee protection context, the government’s registration programme (DPP), the experiences of refugees living in the country, and the role of third-country solutions through resettlement and complementary pathways. The PSCG delegation highlighted the value of direct engagement with refugee communities and exchanged views on ways to strengthen international responsibility-sharing, cooperation and solidarity in support of refugees and host communities in Malaysia.

More than 130,000 refugees have been resettled from Malaysia to third countries since 2005, while over 162,000 refugees have been referred for resettlement consideration. While global resettlement opportunities remain limited relative to needs, Malaysia has in recent years recorded the highest number of complementary pathways departures in the Asia-Pacific region, including through family reunification, humanitarian visas, education pathways and labour mobility pathways.

The PSCG delegation discussed the importance of enhancing refugees' access to education, healthcare, skills development and livelihood opportunities here in Malaysia to improve their potential for more durable solutions. Participants also highlighted the value of initiatives that facilitate the recognition of qualifications, skills and competencies, enabling refugees to contribute more fully to Malaysia while pursuing solutions.

The mission was a reaffirmation of international solidarity and continued support to refugee protection and solutions and underscored the importance of continued cooperation and dialogues with stakeholders in Malaysia.