The second Global Refugee Forum (GRF) closed Friday after three days with a range of pledges to improve the lives of the world’s refugees and the countries and communities that host them. States also pledged to resettle 1 million refugees by 2030, while governments and foundations launched a pledge backed by a new global sponsorship fund to help 3 million refugees access third countries through community sponsorship.
The Forum – co-hosted by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and Switzerland – took place from December 13-15 in Geneva, Switzerland. In his closing statement Friday, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi noted that the world continues to confront deeply troubling times.
“During the three days we have been here, scores of civilians in Gaza have been killed. Many more have been displaced into an already impoverished corner of an already tiny sliver of land. The violence must stop. There must be a humanitarian cease fire now,” he said.
“And I want to be clear: what is already a massive displacement crisis must not turn into yet another refugee crisis,” Grandi added.
The High Commissioner also referred to the recent escalation of violence in Myanmar and the ongoing war in Sudan.
"While we were here, grave milestones were reached elsewhere in the world. More than 700,000 people have been displaced by fighting in Myanmar since the end of October alone, bringing the total number of IDPs in that country to more than 2.5 million," he said.
"And the seven millionth person was displaced by the brutal fighting in Sudan. Think about that: what level of violence and horrors does it take to force seven million people from their homes in just eight months?"
Grandi stressed the state of the world required a reboot of humanity and energy to meet “the challenges before us”, including that of forced displacement.
“And as long as displacement and other humanitarian crises persist, we need an equally large, sustained, and urgent influx of humanitarian resources,” he urged.
As humanitarian agencies and NGOs were facing severe funding shortages, they must be supported to scale up their responses around the world to save lives, Grandi added.
The Global Refugee Forum was attended by over 4,200 participants from 168 countries, including heads of state or government, ministers, heads of international organizations (including United Nations entities and specialized agencies), refugee-led organizations, representatives of civil society, and CEOs of companies and foundations, among others. More than 10,000 people joined the meeting online.
“Participants have demonstrated leadership, vision and creativity in the search for solutions to very complex problems,” Grandi said.
“They have, above all, made a commitment to continue working together to improve the lives of millions of refugees around the world.”
Participants shared examples of good practice and announced contributions to transform the lives of refugees and the communities that host them, in areas like education, labor market access, peace building, climate change, and resettlement.
Financial commitments totaling over US$2.2 billion were announced by governments, the private sector, philanthropies and foundations, faith-based organizations and others, as well as important commitments to consider refugees and host communities in policy, financing instruments and programs.
States also pledged to resettle 1 million refugees by 2030, while governments and foundations launched a pledge backed by a new global sponsorship fund to help a further 3 million refugees access third countries through community sponsorship.
Speaking earlier to the Global Refugee Forum, UN Secretary-General António Guterres noted that the Forum came at the close of a year of intense political division, conflict and climate catastrophe. And a year in which record numbers of people were being pushed from their homes, fleeing violence, insecurity and danger.
“From the Sahel to Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen — to the DRC [The Democratic Republic of the Congo], Myanmar and Somalia — to the utter devastation we are witnessing in Gaza,” Guterres said.
Humanitarian emergencies have displaced 114 million people this year — 36 million of whom are refugees, fleeing across borders.
“We must never forget: These statistics represent people – people with dreams – people with hopes. Women and men with skills and ideas. Children with plans and ambitions. People with the same rights as every member of the human family — to safety, food, water, shelter and dignity. People who deserve every chance at a better future,” Guterres said.
The Secretary-General pointed out that resources to support refugees are under enormous strain — especially in the global south, which continues to host and welcome the overwhelming majority of refugees.
“Protection and help for refugees should not be a lottery, or a disproportionate burden that falls on a few countries and communities based on their geographic location. It is an obligation shared by all of humanity,” Guterres said.
“And we must create the conditions for peace, so refugees can return safely to their homes.”
The GRF mobilized over 1,600 pledges. Important advances were promised in boosting economies and communities through investments in refugee hosting areas, support for refugee entrepreneurs, jobs, skills training, pro bono legal services, financial products and connectivity, as well as improved access to climate action for refugees, displaced and stateless people and their hosts. Over $250 million in funding was pledged by the private sector.
Held every four years, the Global Refugee Forum is the world’s largest international gathering on refugees. It is designed to support the practical implementation of the objectives set out in the Global Compact on Refugees, a framework for more predictable and equitable responsibility-sharing among states, adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2018.
Further information
Website: Global Refugee Forum 2023, UNHCR
https://www.unhcr.org/global-refugee-forum-2023