Need for int'l cooperation underlined at Global Refugee Forum

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The need for international cooperation against migrant and refugee crisis was emphasized during the morning plenary session of the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva on Wednesday.

Jordan's King Abdullah II in his keynote speech stressed the importance of providing continuous global assistance to countries that host refugees, and warned that neglecting the needs of refugees and their hosts could result in a "lost generation."

"Instead of making headway in resolving this ever-evolving and expanding refugee crisis – and even as new displacement crises emerge – we see attention waning. We cannot afford for this to continue," he said.

"The international community cannot resort to short-term solutions and move on to the next crisis."

He also encouraged delegates to deliver tangible results at the forum, adding: "Our global community cannot thrive if its most vulnerable are left behind. Let’s make this forum count."

Colombian Vice President Francia Elena Marquez Mina expressed commitment to addressing forced displacement as the South American country has the largest number of internally displaced people in the world with 6.9 million.

Marquez shared she was also a victim of displacement herself.

On the migration crisis that Colombia faces, she said: "We face a migration crisis in the Darien Corridor (between Colombia and Panama) where 500,000 have crossed this year, from 100 nationalities."

She requested additional resources and shared responsibility to assist Colombia in dealing with the situation.

- 'Host countries should not be left alone'

Uganda’s Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja urged states that host refugees "should not be left alone."

Nabbanja stressed "enormous strain has been placed on our meagre economic resources" and meeting the critical needs of refugees must be addressed by all stakeholders concerned.

Prioritizing humanity over politics and compassion over indifference, she called for greater efforts to uphold the humanitarian rights of refugees.

It is time to take a more forward-looking approach to forced displacement, said Kamikawa Yoko, the foreign minister of Japan.

"We can’t improve the situation merely by providing food, water and shelter," Yoko said. "I believe we all must envision a future where every refugee and displaced person can talk about their dreams and have opportunities to work hard to make their dreams come true."

Emphasizing the urgent need for conflict resolution, she said: "The UNHCR can help save people’s lives and ease some of their suffering, but it cannot resolve conflict."

That is "the responsibility of politicians such as myself, and many others here today," she added.

She said that since the last Global Refugee Forum in 2019, Japan has provided more than $5 million.

- France to increase contribution to UNHCR

French Foreign Minister Catherine Collonna said Paris will increase its contribution to UNHCR by one-third this year, bringing it to €120 million (nearly $129.5 million).

France "will endeavor to maintain it at this level in 2024," Collonna said, adding that France welcomes 3,000 refugees per year and will continue to do so in 2024 and 2025 through the UNHCR resettlement program.

She also backed the idea of alleviating the pressure in the host countries by saying: "We must ease the pressure in the host countries."

"We're living in a pivotal moment with crises around the world and multiplying," said Uzra Zeya, the US under secretary of state.

Zeya expressed Washington's commitment to continue providing robust humanitarian financing as the world face "unprecedented levels of displacement globally."

The US will make 26 "unique" commitments at the forum joining eight multi stakeholder pledges, according to the under secretary.

"These include commitments on economic inclusion, preventing gender based violence, ending statelessness, multiple pledges around resettlement and complementary pathways, support for Rohingya refugees, and inclusion of refugees and education systems," Zeya added.

"No one nation, organization or person can go in alignment to meet historic unmet needs," she urged. "We must work closer together than ever."

On Gaza, she said it is "critical to grow and sustain" lifesaving humanitarian assistance to the civilians in the strip to avoid an even worse humanitarian catastrophe.

Nothing that her country is aware of the fact that much more aid is needed, she expressed commitment to support UNRWA and other international actors in Gaza.

- Global Refugee Forum

The three-day forum, which is set to conclude on Friday, is the largest quadrennial international meeting on refugee issues.

Its purpose is to support the practical implementation of the objectives outlined in the Global Compact on Refugees, which include easing pressures on host countries, enhancing refugee self-reliance, increasing access to third-country solutions, and improving conditions in countries of origin.

The gathering also allows states and stakeholders to make concrete commitments and contributions.

It is co-convened by five states – Colombia, France, Japan, Jordan, and Uganda – and co-hosted by Switzerland and the UNHCR.

With refugee numbers rising due to armed conflicts, environmental pressures, and natural disasters, among other factors, this year's forum will work to address a growing international issue.