UNHCR Statement: Global Compact on Refugees a step closer to affirmation by UN General Assembly

With today’s passage of the ‘omnibus’ resolution on the work of UNHCR in the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural (Third) Committee of the UN General Assembly, the global compact on refugees is one step closer to being affirmed by the General Assembly.

The Third Committee approved the resolution by overwhelming majority and sends the text to the General Assembly plenary for adoption before the end of the year.

Today’s resolution marks a significant expression of support for the global compact on refugees and the work of UNHCR. The compact was forged through 24 months of intensive discussions with UN Member States, experts, civil society and refugees, and the practical application of the comprehensive refugee response framework set out in the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants of 19 September 2016.

UNHCR was requested to work with UN Member States and other stakeholders to develop the compact and propose it for adoption by the end of 2018.

The compact is about a stronger, fairer response to global refugee movements. Its key aims include to ease pressure on countries hosting large number of refugees and to help refugees become self-reliant.

The overwhelming support demonstrated today augurs well for strong and full implementation of the global compact. 

UNHCR is deeply grateful for the trust placed in it by Member States of the United Nations, and expresses its particular gratitude to Sweden for its adept handling of this important resolution.