The Global Compact on Refugees is a framework for more predictable and equitable responsibility-sharing, recognizing that a sustainable solution to refugee situations cannot be achieved without international cooperation.
One of the action channels for the promotion and implementation of this program is the ‘World Refugee Forum’.
The framework, which was affirmed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, put in place a new comprehensive refugee response model.
It provides a blueprint for governments, international organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure that host communities get the support they need and that refugees can lead productive lives.
Its four key objectives are to:
- ease pressures on countries hosting refugees
- enhance opportunities for refugees to become self-reliant
- expand refugees’ access to third-country solutions such as resettlement and other pathways
- support conditions in refugees’ countries of origin so that they may be able to return in safety and dignity
The compact sets out arrangements to ensure that both refugees and their host communities benefit from this support. A central arrangement is the Global Refugee Forum where States and other actors come together every four years to share good practices and contribute with financial support, technical expertise and policy changes to help reach the goals of the Global Compact. These contributions are key to transforming the aspirations of the compact into positive changes in the lives of refugees.
The first Global Refugee Forum took place in December 2019 and was a true milestone in building solidarity with the world’s refugees and the countries and communities that host them.
Learn more about the Global Refugee Forum. Find the webcast archive from the 2019 Global Refugee Forum here.
The first Global Refugee Forum took place in December 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Less than a quarter of the 193 UN Member States bear the lion’s share of responsibility for refugees – either hosting large refugee populations or contributing financially to humanitarian efforts. More countries and other actors need to step up.
The Forum was attended by some 3,000 participants, more than 90 ministerial officials, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, approximately 55 international organizations (including United Nations agencies), representatives of more than 130 companies and foundations, and approximately 250 civil society organizations, sports organizations, cities and city networks, and academics. 70 refugees participated from 22 countries of origin and 30 host countries.
Some 840 pledges were made at the forum to improve issues such as: job creation and microfinancing; inclusion of refugees in national and local development plans and national education and health systems; access to education, especially for youth; financial commitments; infrastructural services including health, water, sanitation, and hygiene, connectivity, and shelter; green energy and conservation; and lasting solutions though integration and voluntary repatriation.
The photo gallery presented below reflects the diversity of speakers and events at the forum:
A guest speaks at a round-table lunch for women, including refugees, hosted by Deputy High Commissioner Kelly Clements to discuss ways of removing barriers to the inclusion of refugee women in decision making.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi (right) chats to Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, general supervisor of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.
Switzerland. Leaders arrive for Global Refugee Forum - UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and Deputy High Commissioner Kelly Clements await arrivals at the Global Refugee Forum at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
World leaders and UN officials gather for the plenary session of the Global Refugee Forum, starting with a debate on burden and responsibility sharing. EU Commissioner & Swiss Ambassador Manuel Bessler, Head of Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit, representing Switzerland as co-host.
Hilary Obaloker Onek, Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Uganda addresses the World leaders and UN officials gathered for the plenary session of the Global Refugee Forum.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the Global Refugee Forum. Turkey was a co-convener of the event.
Carol Thompson O’Connell, acting assistant secretary at the bureau of population, refugees, and migration at the U.S. State Department, speaks at a meeting of seven African governments to discuss progress on solutions to the refugee crisis caused by conflict in Somalia.
The Representative of Japan attends the launch of the Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR). Forty years since the start of the conflict in Afghanistan, finding solutions for the millions of Afghans who remain displaced is key to the country and the region’s collective future.
An Irish delegate speaks during the opening plenary session on burden and responsibility sharing at the Global Refugee Forum at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Aya Mohammed Abdullah, a former Iraqi refugee now living in Switzerland, addresses delegates at the Global Refugee Forum.
Refugee students and alumni delegates attend the Global Refugee Forum at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Nyamal “Mal” Tutdeal, a daughter to a family from South Sudan, was born in Ethiopia and resettled with her family to the United States. She received a Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution. Education was one of six major focus areas at teh Forum, alongside burden and responsibility-sharing, jobs and livelihoods, energy and infrastructure, solutions, and protection capacity.
Products made by refugees from about a dozen countries went on sale at the Noel aux Bastions outdoor market in Geneva to coincide with the Global Refugee Forum.
Refugees and asylum-seekers attending events during the Global Refugee Forum play football in front of the Palais des Nations.
The “Making Higher Education Achievable for Refugees” exhibition at the Palais des Nations displayed portraits of refugee students and graduates in Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Rwanda, Pakistan, Senegal and Uganda. The exhibition provided a glimpse into the lives of talented individuals who differ from media stereotypes, cliches, and prejudices.