Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

2399 (XXIII)

XXIII. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE

2399. 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 the field of international protection of refugees who are the High Commissioner's concern and in the search for permanent solutions of their problems through voluntary repatriation, integration in countries of asylum or resettlement in other countries,

Recognizing the positive effects of the High Commissioner's work on economic and social conditions of the refugees in the countries concerned,

Commending the encouraging results achieved in the field of inter-agency co-operation with the support of the Governments concerned and the other members of the United Nations system and noting with appreciation the untiring activities of the non-governmental organizations working on behalf of refugees,

Noting that the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme has approved an increased programme to cover additional needs of refugees, particularly in Africa,

Noting with appreciation the sizable increase in contributions from certain countries, and also the increase in the number of contributing countries,

Expressing concern, however, about the difficulties still facing the High Commissioner in financing his programme,

1. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to continue to provide international protection and assistance to refugees who are his concern, while giving special attention to new groups of refugees, particularly in Africa, in conformity with the relevant General Assembly resolutions and the directives of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme;

2. Urges States Members of the United Nations and members of the specialized agencies to continue to lend their support to the High Commissioner's humanitarian task by:

(a) Facilitating the voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement of refugees who are the High Commissioner's concern;

(b) Improving the legal status of refugees residing in their territory, inter alia, by acceding to the international instruments relating to refugees and by treating new refugee situations in accordance with the principles and spirit of the Declaration on Territorial Asylum and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

(c) Providing the High Commissioner with the necessary means of accomplishing the task incumbent upon him and, in particular, by enabling him to reach the financial targets established with the approval of the Executive Committee;

(d) Drawing the attention of the governing bodies of other organs in the United Nations system to the need to support the High Commissioner in his efforts to ensure that the requirements of refugees, including education and training, are taken into full account.

1735th plenary meeting,
6 December 1968.

1 Official Records of the General Assembly, Twenty-third Session, Supplement No. 11 (A/7211 and Corr.2) and Supplement No. 11A (A/7211/Add.1).

2 Ibid., Twenty-third Session, Third Committee, 1611th meeting, paras. 1-18.