Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
How is the Progress Review 2025 different from the Global Refugee Forum?
The Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) calls for the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) every four years. The Forum brings together representatives of all parts of society to inspire new pledges in support of refugees and host communities and discuss global forced displacement. Participation is at the Head of State or Minister level for Member States and equivalently for other partners.
The GRF Progress Review is focused on taking stock of developments between Forums and assessing the implementation of pledges. Participation may be smaller in scale and is targeted at the senior official level for Member States and partners. Discussions focus on how pledges are being translated into action and how to address challenges.
What are the priorities for the GRF Progress Review 2025?
- Expanding support for refugees and the countries that receive them;
- Advancing implementation of pledges made at the Global Refugee Forums, including through the multi-stakeholder pledge framework;
- Directing efforts to the areas in need of further support.
For further information, please consult the concept note.
When and where will the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review 2025 take place?
The Global Refugee Forum Progress Review 2025, the second high-level officials meeting, will be held from 15 to 17 December 2025 at the Centre International de Conférence de Genève (CICG) in Geneva, Switzerland.
A livestream of the plenary sessions will be available for those who wish to follow the event online.
Who can attend the GRF Progress Review?
Attendance is by invitation only, with the meeting bringing together senior government officials engaged in refugee affairs and senior representatives from GCR stakeholder groups. These include people with lived experience of forced displacement, states, international organizations, humanitarian and development actors, international and regional financial institutions, regional organizations, local society, the private sector and civil society, including faith-based organizations and academics.
Due to budget constraints, and the smaller scale of the event compared to the Global Refugee Forum 2023, the number of seats available, and therefore participating entities, will be more limited.
What is the recommended delegation size for the GRF Progress Review?
Invited entities are encouraged to limit their delegation size to 3-5 maximum onsite at any given time to ensure equal participation in events and avoid overcrowding at the venue.
How are refugees participating in the GRF Progress Review?
An independent delegation of forcibly displaced and stateless representatives and their organizations has been invited to the event, having been selected based on current and sustained engagement in the GCR process and in alignment with the principles of transparency and AGD considerations, including geographical balance and diverse forms of lived experience
All stakeholders are encouraged to involve forcibly displaced and stateless persons and the organizations they lead throughout the GCR process, including in pledge implementation and stocktaking and to include them as part of their delegations to the event.
Guidance for this is available on the UNHCR website.
Does UNHCR sponsor stakeholders to attend the GRF Progress Review?
UNHCR Headquarters will sponsor a select group of forcibly displaced and stateless people, local actors, and representatives of the organizations they lead, including current members of the Advisory Board to UNHCR’s Task Team on engagement and partnership with organizations led by displaced and stateless persons. This is enabled through dedicated funding from donors to ensure meaningful participation of refugees in policymaking and processes that affect them, including the GCR.
What do preparations for the GRF Progress Review look like?
In 2025, UNHCR will convene quarterly preparatory meetings to update and consult stakeholders on the preparations and programme of the event, as well as on GCR implementation.
More information on past meetings, summary of discussions and dates of upcoming events is available on the meetings and briefings page.
Additionally, stocktaking events on the multi-stakeholder pledges are taking place throughout the year to report progress made since the GRF in 2023 and highlight gaps in responses ahead of the Progress Review. UNHCR also convenes consultations with stakeholder groups to consult on the policy priorities to be featured at the event.
How can stakeholders get involved in the GRF Progress Review?
The multi-stakeholder pledges are the main mechanisms for participation, as they bring together stakeholders to focus support for host countries and comprehensive refugee responses. To join a multi-stakeholder pledge you can either submit a pledge that supports the overall goal of the pledge or contact the leadership of the pledge.
In addition, you can contribute by submitting a good practice, making a pledge or subscribing to the GCR Newsletter to stay informed.
Where can I find more information on the GRF Progress Review Programme?
Thematic priorities for the GRF Progress Review were presented in the second quarterly preparatory meeting in June. A preliminary programme will be shared and discussed during the subsequent preparatory meetings, and a final programme will be released closer to the date of the event. A logistical briefing on the event will be held at the final quarterly preparatory meeting in November.
More information on the programme will be made available on the event’s webpage.
Will there be an open call for event proposals?
Due to the funding context and limitations on budget and capacity, there will not be an open call for events. There will be a limited number of events, as communicated during the recent GRF Progress Review quarterly preparatory meetings.
The programme will be developed according to strategic priorities defined by GCR stakeholders through consultations in the multi-stakeholder pledge framework and preparatory meeting consultations.
What will the programme of the Progress Review look like?
The GRF Progress Review 2025 will feature a dynamic set of programme modalities designed to best leverage the convening power of the GCR and maximise pledge implementation before the GRF 2027.
The modalities will include a running plenary, spotlight sessions on specific thematic priorities and side events on key areas covering multi-stakeholder pledges, GRC initiatives, refugee situations and other topics.
A Speakers’ Corner will provide a platform for forcibly displaced and stateless speakers to share their work and perspective. Speakers will be selected from the special delegation of forcibly displaced and stateless people.
In addition, partners will be able to organize linked events organized off-site that supplement the programme at the CICG.
How can I organize a linked event?
Partners are encouraged to organize linked events in Geneva that help build broader awareness and mobilize support. They can be virtual, in-person, public events or exhibitions.
Linked events may be featured in the official programme provided they align with the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees, GCR; support the purpose of the GRF Progress Review; and do not conflict with key moments of the event, including the opening and closing plenaries and the Nansen ceremony.
Proposals for linked events to be included in the official programme must be submitted to the UNHCR GCR Section at [email protected] by 30 October 2025.
For further details, please refer to the Guidelines for linked events.
What is the Digital Space, who can share content, and how?
The Digital Space for the GRF Progress Review is a hub of content from GCR stakeholders demonstrating some of the work being done to implement the Global Compact on Refugees and celebrating the efforts being made to help displaced people and the communities which host them. It gives a stage to all stakeholders, whether or not they will be attending the GRF Progress Review 2025.
Content can take many forms, including but not limited to reports, videos, stories, images, and podcasts. Content produced by and with forcibly displaced people is particularly encouraged.
Submissions may be made by any GCR stakeholder via the online form, and further information can be found on the Digital Space webpage.
Will all multi-stakeholder pledges be featured at the GRF Progress Review?
Due to budget constraints, the number of sessions will be limited. However, within these limitations, the programme will be carefully designed to ensure a balanced representation of regions and stakeholders. It will highlight pledges and initiatives that align with the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees, multistakeholder pledges, and demonstrate collaboration across sectors.
When are the stocktaking events on multi-stakeholder pledges being held?
A calendar of past and upcoming stocktaking events is available on the GCR Digital Platform.
How do I provide updates on the implementation of my pledge?
Pledge updates can be submitted at any time through the GCR Digital Platform. Emails reminding pledging entities to provide updates are sent out biannually.
Can I make a new pledge at the GRF Progress Review?
New pledges can be submitted at any time on the GCR Digital Platform. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit pledges which contribute to multi-stakeholder pledges, and to contact the Global Compact on Refugees Section at UNHCR for opportunities to match pledges and amplify results.
What is the GCR Indicator Report and how does it relate to the GRF Progress Review?
Published every two years, the GCR Indicator Report provides valuable data trends and insights helping shape current and future high-impact pledges and policy directions discussed at the Global Refugee Forums and GRF Progress Review. The report tracks progress made toward the implementation of the GCR, applying a data approach based on the GCR Indicator Framework.
Explore the newly launched 2025 GCR Indicator Report!