Global Refugee Forum

Global Refugee Forum
Name	Global Refugee Forum
Genre	International conference
Date	First held December 2019
Frequency	Every four years
Location	Geneva, Switzerland
Venue	Palais des Nations
Patrons	United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Organized by	UNHCR with host country Switzerland

Global Refugee Forum. The Global Refugee Forum is a quadrennial international meeting convened to support the practical implementation of the objectives set out in the Global Compact on Refugees. It serves as a platform for governments, international organizations, civil society, the private sector, and refugees themselves to announce concrete pledges and contributions towards easing pressure on host countries, enhancing refugee self-reliance, expanding access to third-country solutions, and improving conditions in countries of origin. The inaugural forum was held in December 2019 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, co-hosted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the government of Switzerland.

Background and establishment

The forum was established as a direct outcome of the Global Compact on Refugees, which was affirmed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2018. This compact emerged from the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants adopted in 2016, aiming to create a more predictable and equitable system for refugee response. Key historical moments like the Syrian civil war and the Rohingya genocide highlighted the need for greater international cooperation, moving beyond the traditional framework of the 1951 Refugee Convention. The decision to hold the first forum in Geneva leveraged the city's status as a hub for international diplomacy and humanitarian action, home to institutions like the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Objectives and key themes

The primary objective is to translate the principles of responsibility-sharing and comprehensive refugee response outlined in the Global Compact on Refugees into tangible action. Key thematic areas include education, exemplified by initiatives like the Education Cannot Wait fund, and employment, seeking partnerships with entities like the International Labour Organization. Other critical themes focus on energy and infrastructure, protection capacity, and solutions such as resettlement, supported by mechanisms like the UNHCR Resettlement Program. The forum also emphasizes inclusion through sports, leveraging partnerships with the International Olympic Committee, and climate action, recognizing the nexus between displacement and environmental degradation.

Participants and structure

Participants include member states of the United Nations, intergovernmental bodies like the African Union and the European Union, and non-governmental organizations such as Oxfam and Médecins Sans Frontières. A distinctive feature is the inclusion of refugee representatives and delegations from the private sector, including major corporations like IKEA and the Schmidt Futures initiative. The structure typically involves high-level plenary sessions, thematic side events, and a series of "pledge labs" designed to foster multi-stakeholder partnerships. The government of Colombia, for instance, has been a prominent participant, sharing its approach to integrating Venezuelan refugees.

Outcomes and pledges

The inaugural 2019 forum resulted in over 1,400 pledges from a wide array of stakeholders, amounting to billions of dollars in financial commitments and policy changes. Significant pledges included Germany's commitment to increase resettlement places and Ethiopia's pledge to enhance refugee inclusion in its national systems. The World Bank announced substantial financing through the International Development Association. Corporations like Microsoft pledged digital skills training, while the Government of Canada committed to supporting refugee education. These pledges are tracked through an online platform maintained by UNHCR to ensure accountability and follow-up.

Criticisms and challenges

Critics, including organizations like Human Rights Watch, have argued that the forum's voluntary pledge model lacks a robust enforcement mechanism, risking a gap between promises and delivery. The complexity of coordinating among diverse actors like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and various NATO members can lead to fragmented responses. Challenges persist in ensuring meaningful participation of refugee-led organizations from regions affected by conflicts like the war in Afghanistan and securing sustained funding beyond high-profile events. Some analysts contend the forum has struggled to significantly alter the policies of major host countries like Turkey or Jordan.

Future forums and impact

The second Global Refugee Forum is scheduled for 2023, again in Geneva, with co-hosts including Switzerland, Colombia, France, Japan, and Jordan. Its long-term impact is intended to be measured through enhanced support for major displacement situations, such as those stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Somali Civil War. Successive forums aim to solidify the forum as a central component of global governance, alongside other major summits like the World Humanitarian Summit. The ultimate goal is to build a more sustainable international response architecture, reducing reliance on emergency appeals and strengthening partnerships with development actors like the United Nations Development Programme.

Category:United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Category:Refugees Category:International conferences Category:Recurring events established in 2019