United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
The General AssemblyLink is external is the main deliberative and representative organ of the United Nations, comprising all 193 Member States.
In accordance with UNHCR’s Statute, the High Commissioner follows policy directives from the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Each year, during the summer, the High Commissioner reports orally to ECOSOC. In early November, he presents his annual report to the General Assembly through the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee, or the Third CommitteeLink is external.
The Third Committee also considers and adopts three resolutions related to UNHCR, namely:
- The resolution on the work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner, or omnibus resolution
- The resolution on the Enlargement of the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
- The resolution on Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa
While the enlargement resolution to increase the membership of the Executive Committee is technical, the other two are discussed and negotiated on an annual basis by United Nations Member States and agreed upon by consensus. The negotiation process of the omnibus resolution is traditionally chaired by a representative of one of the Scandinavian Permanent Missions in Geneva, and the Africa resolution is managed by representatives of African countries.
UNHCR annual reports and omnibus resolutions
- Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 15 December 2022 (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
11 Jan 2023 - Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 16 December 2021 (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) Link is external
19 Jan 2022 - Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 16 December 2020 (Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa) Link is external
23 Dec 2020 - Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 16 December 2020 (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) Link is external
23 Dec 2020
General Assembly reports and resolutions relating to UNHCR
- 5th edition, December 2015
- 4th edition, June 2014
- 3rd edition, June 2013
High Commissioner’s statements to the Third Committee, 1952 to date
- High Commissioner’s Statement to the Third Committee of the United Nations General AssemblyLink is external
1 Nov 2022 - Statement to the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly 76th Session Link is external
29 Oct 2021 - Statement to the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly Link is external
3 Nov 2020