UK Statement for 75th Session of the UNHCR Executive Committee
28 October 2024
Mr. High Commissioner, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates,
I am honoured to address this Executive Committee on behalf of the United Kingdom.
At the outset, I would like to express our deep appreciation for the tireless efforts of the UNHCR and its partners in providing protection and assistance to refugees and other forcibly displaced persons around the world. Your work is essential in upholding the fundamental human rights of those who are most vulnerable.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the UNHCR. It is an opportune moment to reflect on the extraordinary achievements of the organization and the resilience of the individuals it serves.
Over the past seven decades, the UNHCR has played a pivotal role in protecting the rights of refugees, providing them with access to essential services, and helping them rebuild their lives in safety and dignity. The organization’s work has touched the lives of millions of people, including those who have fled war, persecution, and natural disasters.
However, the challenges facing refugees and displaced persons today are as great as ever. Global displacement continues to rise at alarming rates, driven by conflict, violence, and climate change. We must redouble our efforts to address the root causes of displacement and to find durable solutions for those who are forced to flee their homes.
The UK remains committed to supporting the UNHCR and its partners in meeting these challenges. We are the second largest donor to the UNHCR and have consistently provided substantial funding to support refugee protection and assistance programs around the world.
In addition, the UK has played a leading role in resettling refugees and providing asylum to those seeking safety. We have resettled over 200,000 refugees since 2015, and we continue to offer protection to those fleeing persecution and conflict.
We believe that resettlement is an essential tool for providing durable solutions for refugees and sharing the responsibility for refugee protection. We urge other countries to step up and increase their resettlement commitments.
We also recognize the importance of addressing the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs). IDPs often face similar challenges to refugees, but they are often overlooked and underprotected. We call on all states to ensure that IDPs have access to the protection and assistance they need.
Furthermore, we must continue to work together to find innovative and effective solutions to the challenges of displacement. This includes investing in education, skills training, and livelihoods for refugees and IDPs. It also means working with host communities to ensure that they have the capacity to support displaced populations.
We are particularly concerned about the situation in Ukraine, where the ongoing conflict has led to the displacement of millions of people. The UK is providing substantial humanitarian aid to Ukraine and its neighbours, and we are working with the UNHCR and other partners to support the protection of refugees and IDPs.
We commend the UNHCR and its partners for their response to the Ukraine crisis and for their tireless efforts to provide protection and assistance to those affected by conflict around the world.
The UK stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the UNHCR in its mission to protect and assist refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. We will continue to work with the UNHCR and its partners to find durable solutions for those who have been forced to flee their homes and to uphold the fundamental human rights of all.
Thank you.
UK statement for 75th session of the UNHCR Executive Committee
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