Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

2956 (XXVII)

XXVII. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE

2956. Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

A

The General Assembly,

Having considered the report of the United Nations High refugees concerning his current activities¹ and having heard his statement,²

Commending the results obtained by the High Commissioner in the accomplishment of his humanitarian task of providing international protection to within his mandate and promoting permanent solution to their problems,

Noting with appreciation the manner in which High Commissioner has, at the request of the Secretary-General and in accordance with the relevant resolution of the Economic and Social Council and the Genera Assembly, co-ordinated, or participated in, essential humanitarian actions undertaken by the organizations in the United Nations system,

Recognizing the importance of voluntary repatriation as a permanent solution to the refugee problem and the useful role that United Nations bodies and non-governmental agencies have been playing in facilitating the rehabilitation of groups of refugees who have voluntarily returned to their countries of origin,

Considering the increasing and fruitful co-operation between the High Commissioner and other members of the United Nations system in the field of rural settlement, education and training of refugees, particularly in Africa, which results in better co-ordination of action and greater efficiency,

Noting with satisfaction the increasing number of Governments contributing to the High Commissioner's assistance programme and the substantial increase in some of those contributions,

Commending the growing number of accessions to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951³ and the Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees of 1967,⁴

1. Expresses its deep satisfaction at the efficient manner in which the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees land his staff continue to accomplish their humanitarian task;

2. Requests the High Commissioner to continue to participate, at the invitation of the Secretary-General, in those humanitarian endeavours of the United Nations for which his Office has particular expertise and experience;

3. Requests the High Commissioner to pursue his efforts, in co-operation with Governments, United Nations bodies and voluntary agencies, to promote permanent and speedy solutions to the problems of refugees who are his concern through voluntary repatriation, integration in countries of asylum or resettlement in other countries;

4. Requests the High Commissioner to continue to provide international protection and assistance to refugees who are his concern, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the directives of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme;

5. Urges Governments to continue to lend their support to the High Commissioner's humanitarian action by:

(a) Facilitating his efforts in the field of international protection;

(b) Co-operating in the promotion of permanent solutions to refugee problems;

(c) Providing the necessary means to attain the financial targets established with the approval of the Executive Committee.

2107th plenary meeting
12 December 1972

B

The General Assembly,

Taking note of the recommendation of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme, as mentioned in paragraph 169 of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,⁵

1. Decides that the Emergency Fund established under General- Assembly resolution 1166 (XII) of 26 November 1957 shall henceforth be maintained at its ceiling of $500,000 by replenishments from the Working Capital and Guarantee Fund and by voluntary contributions made for that purpose;

2. Authorizes the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to allocate from the Emergency Fund, under the general directives of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme, up to $1 million annually for emergency situations, it being understood that the amount made available for one single emergency shall not exceed $500,000 in any one year.

2107th plenary meeting
12 December 1972

1 Ibid., Twenty-seventh Session, Supplement No. 12 (A/8712) and Supplement No. 12A (A/8712/Add.1).

2 Ibid., Twenty-seventh Session, Third Committee, 1954th meeting.

3 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 189, No. 2545, p. 137.

4 Ibid., vol. 606, No. 8791, p. 267.

5 Official Records of the General Assembly, Twenty-seventh Session, Supplement No. 12 (A/8712).