Third Committee, 41st plenary meeting - General Assembly, 80th session
General Assembly
Date: 6 November 2025
Language: English
Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/en/ga/c3/80/41
Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations.

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3rd Committee · Chair [0:04]:

Good afternoon, colleagues. The 41st meeting of the Third Committee at the agenda session of the General Assembly is called to order. I now invite the committee to begin its consideration of agenda item 61, entitled Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees: Questions relating to refugees, returnees and displaced persons, and humanitarian questions. Once again, I wish to remind delegations that the deadline for the submission of draft proposals under this item is this afternoon at 6:00 PM. With that, I would now like to welcome the High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Filippo Grandi. A very warm welcome. Participants wishing to make comments and pose questions to speaker are invited at this time to press your microphone button within the next three minutes, after which the list will be closed. The time limit for each speaker will be announced before the floor is given to the first speaker. Thank you so much for your cooperation. Let me now giving the floor to the High Commissioner for Refugees to make an introductory statement. Ms. Grandi, when you are ready, the floor is yours.


UNHCR · High Commissioner for Refugees [1:38]:

Thank you very much. Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates, this is the 10th and final time that I address this committee as High Commissioner for Refugees. Every year for the past 10 years, I have come here to speak about the devastating impact of war, violence and persecution on millions forced to flee their homes. Every year in this committee, I have described how, with your support, UNHCR responds to humanitarian emergencies on the front lines, providing, with its partners, life-saving assistance to refugees: shelter, food, water. How it works to ensure that refugees and displaced people have access to safety, are documented, can use basic services. How it strives to give, whenever possible, a little hope to people that have lost everything. And every year, I have reported that the number of refugees and other forcibly displaced people has gone up. Every year, except this one. Because yes, for the first time in nearly a decade, this number has decreased. from 123 million at the end of 2024 to about 117 million today. This may seem surprising, because the world has not become safer. On the contrary, conflicts new and old continue to rage. In Sudan, where we have witnessed shocking violence once again. but also recently in Gaza, in Ukraine, in Myanmar, many other places. How can we then explain this drop in displacement figures at a time of continued global instability? Let me start by speaking of solutions to forced displacement, or rather, of the possibility of solutions. This unexpected decrease in the forced displacement figure is largely driven by the return of some refugees and internally displaced people to their places of origin. In many, but not all cases, returns were voluntary, despite continued fragility in countries of return. Because this is the nature of voluntariness, the decision to go back lies with the refugees themselves. based on an assessment of what is best for them. The voluntary nature of return is an important distinction, which statistics cannot always capture, as the decrease in the total number of forcibly displaced people also accounts, unfortunately, for returns that were not voluntary. Let me focus, therefore, on the two situations that drove those statistics. First, the return of displaced Syrians, which seemed impossible only a few months ago, illustrates very clearly the dynamic of voluntariness. Since 8 December 2024, more than 1.1 million refugees have returned to Syria from neighboring countries. Approximately 2 million people displaced inside the country have also returned home. But whether they will stay in Syria will depend in large part on being safe, and we have seen how volatile the situation remains, and on having access to the basics: housing, jobs, electricity, clinics, schools, financial services, barring which they may be compelled to move again. To address this, Syria needs support. Initially of a humanitarian nature. That is why UNHCR's teams are on the ground, helping returnees with immediate needs, cash assistance, shelter rehabilitation, documentation and legal issues, working in support of central and local authorities. But much more is needed. The international community, and especially donors in the Gulf region and Europe, and the international financial institutions, must step up their support in building infrastructure, restoring services, reforming the security sector, restarting the economy. That will give space and opportunities for all the people of Syria. under the leadership of their authorities, to rebuild their country, and for more refugees to return, and for those who do, to stay. It will also help relieve pressure on those countries in the region, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, and Iraq, that have generously hosted Syrian refugees for years. The same opportunity exists in other parts of the world, in Burundi or in the Central African Republic, to name but two. With additional humanitarian funds and with development investments in areas of return, UNHCR's work can contribute directly to global security and regional stability. This is why I'm particularly grateful to the United States for having helped recognize our unique mandate and role in the context of the recent peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, a potential breakthrough in a decades-long conflict. As stipulated in the 2010 Tripartite Agreement, UNHCR is ready to play its role in consolidating peace and opening the door for the voluntary, safe and dignified return of potentially millions of refugees and displaced people to their homes. These developments show that with political engagement, more opportunities for solutions can be created, including in places like Myanmar or Sudan, to address the root causes that continue to prolong humanitarian and refugee crises. This is an important message here in New York, where a few steps from here, in the Security Council, we continue to see tensions and divisions blocking pathways to peace. The situation of Afghans, and in particular those forced back to Afghanistan, mainly from Iran and Pakistan, has been the other driver of lower displacement numbers. Let me be clear. For decades, Pakistan and Iran have been generous hosts to Afghan refugees, and they continue to be for many of them. Afghans in both countries are provided access to services practically on par with nationals. Indeed, generations of Afghans, women especially, were educated in Iranian and Pakistani schools. We cannot forget that. But the recent waves of forced returns to Afghanistan deny many Afghan refugees the protection they need, forcing them back to an environment where human rights violations and discrimination are widespread, especially against women. Worse, we know from experience that forced returns are ultimately counterproductive, that they only serve to exacerbate instability. It is positive that the Iranian and Pakistani governments and the de facto authorities in Afghanistan have agreed to discuss these matters within the quadripartite framework, and I hope a meeting can take place next month as proposed. It may well be that a new paradigm is needed in the region to better reflect the changing composition of Afghan population flows. One that ensures that Afghan refugees continue to receive the protection they need, while creating more space to regulate migratory routes for others. UNHCR, with its partners, stands ready to support this important discussion. Mr. Chairman, by its very definition, forced displacement is dynamic. It is a complex phenomenon. People may flee a country at the same time as others return to it. This is the reality today in South Sudan, for example, or even in Sudan. Population flows and displacement patterns are constantly evolving. in response to a multitude of factors: war and violence, certainly, but also the effects of climate change, poverty, economic opportunities, and so on. As a result, mixed population flows, consisting of both refugees and migrants, have grown. From a legal point of view, they belong to distinct categories. Refugees are forced to flee. Migrants leave for other reasons. In practice, they often move alongside each other, along transnational routes that span large geographic areas, through the Sahara, across the Mediterranean, the Balkans, the Andaman Sea, in Latin America, or towards Southern Africa. I have spoken extensively about this phenomenon, so I will not elaborate on this issue in detail. UNHCR fully recognizes that responding to mixed movements is a complex challenge. We know that asylum systems can become overwhelmed and can be misused by people who do not need international protection, to the detriment of refugees for whom asylum is life-saving. And we agree, it is imperative that the integrity and the efficacy of asylum systems be maintained. We can help you with that. But the solution does not lie in restrictions, barriers, and pushbacks, practices that breach international obligations and endanger people who have no choice but to flee. To be clear, legal measures that strengthened borders are absolutely legitimate. In fact, they're necessary. But such control and deterrence measures are not sufficient, as alone, they do not solve the problem. Instead, it is more strategic to look at the entire displacement routes and identify measures that provide protection and opportunities to people on the move and their hosts as early as possible, before people cross several borders. That is the essence of the root-based approach that UNHCR, together with the International Organization for Migration and others, has been advocating in recent years. Such measures include strengthening asylum systems. developing mechanisms for lawful transfers of asylum seekers to safe third countries, or indeed, for those individuals who do not need protection, setting up return programs. They also include creating predictable and regulated migration pathways for labor, education, or family reunification. Here again, I encourage you to consult with us. We have issued extensive technical guidance on these issues so that responses can be both effective and lawful. This brings me to my next point. There has been a push recently, partly as a reaction to these challenges, to question the continued relevance of the international legal framework that governs asylum. Under the guise of effectiveness, or based on arguments that asylum undermines national sovereignty, some have even called for the 1951 Refugee Convention to be replaced by a new instrument. These arguments are misguided. Let me explain why. To begin with, we should keep in mind that the fundamental principles of asylum are timeless and universal. People who flee persecution and violence should be welcomed and protected, not turned away or left to die. I hope we can all agree on that. This is the principle of non-refoulement that is at the heart of the 1951 Convention and clearly established as a norm under international customary law. And the convention is the instrument which has guided states in codifying these long-standing norms. As such, it is a direct expression of state sovereignty. This is a critical point. But asylum is not a back door for migration. Quite the opposite. States have the duty to manage their borders. We all agree on that, too. The modern institution of asylum rooted in the Refugee Convention is the tool that enables states to meet both obligations, to their citizens and to refugees. To question the effectiveness of the current framework is also to view it selectively, from too narrow a perspective. as if all refugees were moving to Europe or North America. That is quite the opposite. Every day, because asylum is upheld in Chad, for example, the lives of thousands of Sudanese refugees are saved. Refugees' lives have been saved in Moldova, in Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, and many other places thanks to the institution we all built together. What could be more effective at a time when military might is replacing diplomacy and dialogue as a means of resolving conflict? Finally, it is important to note that the current international framework has evolved over time, even as fundamental principles and the Refugee Convention itself have remained unchanged. That is the challenge, stay true to principles, but find innovative ways to apply them. Numerous legal instruments have been developed by states to operationalize these principles and account for regional specificities, such as the pact on asylum and migration adopted by the European Union. And the Global Compact on Refugees, which the General Assembly, you affirmed in 2018, continues to be a critical toolbox that States can draw upon when responding to today's displacement crisis, including those which extreme climate events create, aggravate, and accelerate, as will be discussed, among other challenges, at the ongoing COP30 in Belém. Mr. Chairman, A further point on which I would like to reflect relates to the nature of humanitarian responses. Creating standalone humanitarian infrastructure is no longer an option. It is imperative that humanitarian responses follow a more sustainable model, especially as funding has become unpredictable. A number of refugee hosting countries, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, and many others, have affirmed that. They have recognized that only through the inclusion of refugees into existing structures at the national and local level can responses to displacement be sustainable. This means investing in self-reliance. It means giving refugees and displaced people access to education, services, financing, work, so they can contribute better to host community in a more cohesive context. That is a living example of humanitarian, development, peace nexus. To bear fruit, this process requires both time and resources. It does not happen overnight, especially as the shift to inclusion and sustainability needs to reflect local specificities, constraints, and priorities, which is why national governments must lead it and why UNHCR, partners, and donors must continue to support it. As I have repeated for 10 years, Responsibility towards refugees cannot be borne by host countries alone. It must remain shared, including financially. I am proud that over the last decade we have mobilized significant expertise and financing in support of such efforts. Many bilateral development agencies have been strong partners, as have international financial institutions. The partnership with the World Bank has been particularly successful, resulting in $5.5 billion allocated directly to low-income refugee countries through the IDA window for host communities and refugees. Middle-income host countries have had access to financing through the Global Concessional Financing Facility, the GCFF, a critical program that has also been impactful for refugees and beneficiary countries. It is positive, although the decision must be formalized, that a political agreement was reached in Yerevan a few days ago on extending the GCFF for another five years. Mr. Chairman, before I conclude, I must address the impact on UNHCR and on the humanitarian sector as a whole of this year's drastic and sudden reductions in financing. We project that we will end the year with $1.3 billion less in funds available than we did in 2024, a 25% decrease and a collapse of unearmarked contributions. We also project that we will receive less than 4 billion US dollars this year out of a budget of 10.6 billion. The last time we received less than 4 billion was in 2015, when the number of forcibly displaced people was half of what it is today. We did what we could to absorb these reductions internally, in the hope of minimizing the impact on refugees and host countries. We reduced the size of our workforce by 30%, affecting close to 5,000 colleagues, and aggressively cut spending. We shrank our operational footprint globally, consolidating or reducing our presence in 185 locations. Still, faced with such wide-ranging reductions, we had no choice but to cut life-saving and life-changing activities across all sectors. With such wide-ranging reductions and such little time, nothing could be spared. Some are saying that these reductions were overdue. that they are an opportunity for UNHCR to become more efficient, to return to our "core mandate", implying that we had until now somehow been inefficient or unfocused. I couldn't disagree more. These cuts will make it more difficult to save lives, to deliver on our mandate. This is why I appeal to all those who can help us bridge the gap before the end of the year and make early, flexible pledges for 2026. Of course, we will cope by reprioritizing our activities yet again, by redoubling our efforts to make the organization more efficient, building on a decade of transformation and modernization, and in a manner that complements United Nations system-wide reform efforts, including the humanitarian reset and the Secretary-General's UN80 initiative, to both of which we're active contributors and participants. Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates, after 10 challenging yet fascinating years, my mandate comes to an end in a few weeks, and so today I take leave of you. with many thanks for your support. It has been an enormous privilege to hold this responsibility, the highlight of a humanitarian path which started in your country, Mr. Chairman, almost 42 years ago, at the Thai-Cambodian border. The last institutional milestone under my watch will be the progress review of the Global Refugee Forum in just over a month. This will coincide with UNHCR's 75th anniversary. I cannot think of a more fitting way to end my tenure than such a clear reminder that we have been with refugees, displaced people, stateless people, and those hosting them for such a long time, through thick and thin, in good and bad times. but also that our job is not done yet, and that this organization, of which I am very, very proud, will endure until it is no longer needed. Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [24:20]:

Thank you so much, Mr. High Commissioner for Refugees, for your presentation. With that, the floor is open for comments and questions. As per past practice, I would like to request that delegations limit their comments to one and a half minutes, since we have an extensive list of speakers requesting to speak. One and a half minutes. Thank you so much for your kind cooperation. And with that, the first speakers on my list will be the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Japan, Armenia, Kenya, and Switzerland, to be followed by Thailand, Malaysia, Sudan, Romania, and Cuba. So now let me give the floor to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The floor is yours.


Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) · Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations [25:24]:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Venezuela has the honor to take the floor on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations. We express our deepest concern over the catastrophic humanitarian and human rights situation of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank. While we welcome the ceasefire and the humanitarian relief it is bringing, to the traumatized, starved, and besieged Palestinian population in Gaza. We urge that all efforts be made to sustain this ceasefire, to extend it beyond Gaza to the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory. The UN must continue to play its leadership role. particularly regarding UNHCR's mandate is to protect refugees, we'd like to ask the opinion of the High Commissioner on the rise in exclusive and racist tendencies, including fascist ones, that glorify Nazism, which have fueled persecution against minorities and created a general atmosphere of fear and contributed to the increase in the use of refuge and similar protection mechanisms. The remainder of my statement will be found in the journal for this session. Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [26:45]:

Thank you very much, Venezuela, for your statement. I now turn the floor to Japan. The floor is yours.


Japan [26:54]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I thank the High Commissioner for his insightful briefing. Japan commends UNHCR for its vital work and praises the High Commissioner for his strong and indispensable leadership over the past 10 years. I can go on, uh, in even in one hour in, uh, appreciating the High Commissioner, but I refrain from, uh, doing so due to the time limit. Japan is deeply concerned that the forced displacement continues to rise, with over 120 million people displaced. Japan remains steadfast in its support for displaced persons worldwide, and continuous efforts to alleviate the growing burden on host countries. To mitigate forced displacement, respect for international humanitarian law is essential. Furthermore, the humanitarian security approach is increasingly relevant and crucial as refugees and displaced people often face more complex socio-economic challenges. Japan supports medium to long-term solutions beyond emergency aid through the HDP nexus, which advances development cooperation and peace efforts in parallel with humanitarian assistance with the cooperation of UNHCR. Japan will continue to collaborate with international partners, including UNHCR.


3rd Committee · Chair [28:27]:

Thank you, japan, for your statement. Armenia, the floor is yours.


Armenia [28:32]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We thank the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for his comprehensive presentation. Over the years, UNHCR has played a crucial role in supporting refugees and persons in refugee-like situations in Armenia, contributing significantly to humanitarian response, protection, and capacity building. In recent years, Armenia has faced major humanitarian challenges in hosting over 150,000 refugees. In close cooperation with the UN and other partners, the government has taken comprehensive measures to address both immediate and early recovery needs. And UNHCR's presence on the ground has been instrumental in addressing their urgent needs. At the Global Refugee Forum, Armenia has made a series of voluntary pledges aimed at ensuring refugees have access to services that enable to rebuild their lives with stability and dignity. The upcoming Global Refugee Forum in December 2025 will be an important opportunity to reaffirm our commitments. We recognize the financial pressures currently facing UNHCR. Nevertheless, we trust that these constraints will not negatively affect ongoing programs and commitments in Armenia, given the country's specific humanitarian context and continuing needs. For this reason, we believe that the process of optimizing UNHCR's programs should be undertaken in a manner that mitigates any potential negative impact on refugee hosting countries. I thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [29:55]:

Thank you, Amenia, for your statement. Kenya, you may please have the floor.


Kenya · Africa Group [30:00]:

Thank you, Chair. On behalf of the African Group, we thank you for your comprehensive reports and the recommendations that they contain. We are concerned by the financial crisis impact on the humanitarian aid sector. Severe funding cuts compelled the UNHCR to implement austerity measures, conduct extensive reviews of its operation, reassess its core activities, and reduce its global presence and workforce. These measures have serious implications for forcibly displaced persons and the countries that host them. Mr. High Commissioner, The African group is concerned about the rising number of forcibly displaced persons, majority of whom are hosted in low and middle-income countries, overstretching their national capacities, resources, and systems. In this regard, Mr. High Commissioner, could you share your vision on how the UNHCR will deliver on its mandate and the commitments beyond 2026 amidst the financial crisis. I thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [31:17]:

Thank you, Kenya, for the statement. Switzerland, Roger.


Switzerland [31:25]:

70 million people come under the mandate of the 123 million people, rather. Thanks to this reality, Switzerland welcomes the courage of the displaced people, the generosity of hosts, and the unwavering commitment of the UNHCR. Commissioner Grandi, High Commissioner Grandi, we thank you for your exemplary service, which has continued through the last 10 years. protection for displaced people also come under political pressure with the challenging of the conventional refugee status and its protocol, which is vital. Given organized crime and the complexity of migration, the international community has to concentrate its efforts to ensure that existing standards be effectively applied. In this context, the reduction of armed conflicts has created favorable opportunities for the return of displaced persons, but many conditions have to obtain for these returns to be safe and with dignified conditions. With the cut in finance, how is it possible for UNHCR to continue to ensure support, meeting needs, particularly improving cooperation with agencies such as the IMO? The Global Refugee Forum in Geneva in December will enable us to assess things. What do you expect from this meeting?


3rd Committee · Chair [32:51]:

Thank you for your statement. I now give the floor to Thailand.


Thailand [32:57]:

Thank you, Chair. Thailand expresses its sincere appreciation to Mr. Filippo Grandi for his decade-long leadership and dedication to the protection and assistance of displaced persons worldwide. The continued reduction in humanitarian funding coupled with declining prospects for third-country resettlement undermines the spirit of international solidarity and has far-reaching consequences for displaced persons worldwide, including those in Thailand. Heeding the call for a sustainable response, Thailand has made meaningful progress over the past year. In August 2025, we issued a historic policy that allows Myanmar displaced persons to work outside temporary shelters. It is a step toward self-reliance for displaced persons, while also empowering them to contribute to our social and economic development. Thailand appreciates the High Commissioner for taking note in the report of our policy to resolve statelessness. We are currently implementing the cabinet resolution to expedite permanent residency and nationality acquisition for approximately 480,000 stateless persons. We are pleased to announce that with just over 120 days of operation, over 90,000 stateless persons have benefited from this scheme. In line with our longstanding human tradition, Thailand will continue to do our part in providing assistance to displaced persons. and we welcome UNHCR ongoing efforts and contribution to the UNHCR initiative in the human element cluster.


3rd Committee · Chair [34:28]:

Thank you, Thailand, for the statement. Malaysia, you have the floor.


Malaysia [34:34]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Malaysia welcomes, Malaysia thanks the High Commissioner for his presentation to the Committee. Malaysia continues to host the largest refugee and asylum seeker population in Southeast Asia. As of June, 2025, a total of more than 202,000 persons of concern are registered in Malaysia. The protected nature of displacement, coupled with slow resettlement rates, means that many will remain in Malaysia for an extended period. The situation places increasing strain on our social infrastructure, particularly healthcare and education. Malaysia believes that addressing the refugee situation in Southeast Asia requires the concerted effort and cooperation of affected countries in the region and the international community. In 2024, only 8,000 refugees were resettled from Malaysia, far beyond what is needed. Malaysia aims to fully resettle all refugees within five years and from 2025 targets resettling about 42,000 refugees annually, nearly twice of UNHCR's projected needs for Malaysia. Our question to the High Commissioner: is what concrete and scalable mechanism does UNHCR envisage to operationalize equitable responsibility sharing so that frontline middle-income host countries such as Malaysia are not left to manage this challenge alone? Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [35:57]:

Thank you, Malaysia, for the statement. Sudan, you are next.


Sudan [36:04]:

Thank you very much for this opportunity. to speak. So we welcome the High Commissioner for Refugees' endeavours, despite unprecedented crises besetting both the Commission and other organisations. There is also a crisis of multilateralism and the UN system throughout the world. Sir, the war of aggression of militias regionally supported has caused one of the most serious humanitarian crises in the world. The militia has committed violations, systematically, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, besieging, destruction of infrastructure. This has meant that millions of people have been displaced. Others are seeking refuge. There is also al-Fashir, which has exacerbated the suffering of the Sudanese people over 18 months. Those who have escaped are in IDP camps where living conditions are not sufficient. What about the response to al-Fashir regarding Darfur in general? particularly when there are so many people displaced. Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [37:34]:

Thank you, Sudan, for the statement. The European Union, you have the floor.


EU · EU [37:44]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member states. High Commissioner, thank you for your remarks and the presentation of your report. We appreciate your leadership and the dedication of UNHCR staff and partners on the ground, including local actors. You can count on our continued political and financial support to your office. The number of forcibly displaced and stateless persons worldwide remains deeply concerning. When parties to conflict violate international humanitarian law, civilians pay the price. Respect for IHL, protection of the humanitarian space, and accountability for violations must remain at the heart of our collective action. Humanitarian access and the safety of humanitarian and medical workers must be safeguarded at all times. We commend your reform and business transformation efforts to address the widening gap between needs and resources. And we support UNHCR's engagement in the UN80 and humanitarian reset processes to make the system more efficient, transparent, and sustainable. We underline the importance of UNHCR's root-based approach and efforts to promote voluntary, safe, and dignified returns. And we value UNHCR's catalytic role in bridging humanitarian and development responses.


Sudan [39:13]:

For decades,


3rd Committee · Chair [39:19]:

Thank you to you for the statement. Cuba, you have the floor.


Cuba [39:38]:

Mr. Chairman, Cuba reiterates its most vehement rejection of the political refugee, of the status of refugees. We regret that the past Olympic Games have been the scene of an unacceptable politicization of this definition. The inclusion of two athletes of Cuban origin in the Olympic refugee team was a clear violation of the Convention on the Status of Refugees and a complete distortion of the noble purpose of this team. UNHCR decided arbitrarily to validate the status of refugees, the refugee status of these athletes, and include them in a team which was made up of people who are uprooted. We urge the Office of the High Commissioner to act in accordance strictly with the mandate and to review together with the IAC procedures for granting membership and support to the refugee team. We would urge ensure greater quality on the working of the Olympic Refugee Foundation, where the High Commissioner is Vice President. We also have to consider the recovery of our country after the hurricane Melissa, and we welcome the willingness of the Agency to contribute to this. Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [41:08]:

Next speaker on my list will be the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to be followed by El Salvador, Canada, Ukraine, And Côte d'Ivoire. And next five speakers will be Portugal, Myanmar, Spain, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, the floor is yours. Now hang on, the microphone is not working. I do apologize. Can you try again, please? No. Yeah, I think it works.


Democratic Republic of the Congo [42:24]:

The Democratic Republic of the Congo congratulates Mr. Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, on the outstanding annual report that he has introduced, and we congratulate him on the relevant UNGA resolution too. We fully endorse the statement of Kenya delivered on behalf of the African Group. In our national capacity, we wish to reaffirm our staunch commitment to the protection of refugees, asylum seekers, and IDPs with respect for the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law and human rights. Now, given the timing, you can find our full statement on the relevant portal, and I’ll move directly to the question. My delegation would like to know what are the operational mechanisms that can be implemented by the UNHCR in the context of its mandate to swiftly and effectively respond to deliver humanitarian aid to refugees and IDPs, and particularly in areas that are hard to reach?


3rd Committee · Chair [43:50]:

Thank you. The Democratic Republic of the Congo. El Salvador, the floor is

yours.


El Salvador [43:58]:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. welcomes the presentation and notes the report of the High Commissioner for Refugees, and we pay tribute to the work of UNHCR for refugees, IDPs, and stateless people. We believe that UNHCR is a strategic partner, and we reiterate our gratitude for the support it provides us both nationally and internationally. Following the commitments and the convention on refugees, El Salvador will be working jointly with countries of the region. The refugee system in El Salvador has moved forward substantively. within the framework of the Commission to determine the status of refugees, we have moved towards the implementation of the protocol for applicants for refugee status. Considering the current financial cuts, what measures are being devised to ensure equitable attention in the various regions, in particular regarding those peoples who require priority responses?


3rd Committee · Chair [45:20]:

Thank you, El Salvador, for the statement. Canada, you have the floor.


Canada · Representative; former ECOSOC President [45:35]:

Thank you very much, sir. Firstly, High Commissioner Grandi, as you are coming to the end of your mandate, Canada would like to pay tribute to your remarkable leadership and your constant commitment to the protection of refugees. This has made it possible to give a voice to those who are displaced and to strengthen international cooperation in multilateral fora, including the UN General Assembly. I would also like most sincerely to thank you for your support and the support of your team during the course of last year, when, as President of ECOSOC, we worked together on the matter of forced displacement. Sir, Canada is gravely concerned at the increasing risk of returns, arbitrary detentions, and sexual violence, gender discrimination, particularly affecting women and girls. We commend UNHCR for endeavouring to ensure that international standards of protection are observed, we urge you to continue your work in third countries to make sure that commitments regarding return in the future be observed, which will certainly help to save countries. Thank you.


Ukraine [47:08]:

Thank you, Chair. The delegation of Ukraine expresses its sincere gratitude to the High Commissioner, philippe Grandi, for his comprehensive briefing. At the time of record global displacement, UNHCR mandate is more vital than ever. We emphasize the importance of solidarity and adequate funding to sustain its lifesaving work, especially in areas of greatest needs. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine remains one of the main drivers of displacement worldwide. Nearly 10 million Ukrainians remain uprooted, including millions seeking refuge abroad, while certain million require humanitarian assistance in Ukraine. Russia's ongoing aerial assaults and deliberate strikes on energy infrastructure continue to inflict immense suffering and force further displacement. These grave violations of international humanitarian law must cease, and accountability must prevail. We deeply appreciate UNHCR continued efforts in Ukraine despite funding constraints, as well as the hospitality of host countries, notably the European Union, which has extended temporary protection for displaced Ukrainians until 2027. We call on UNHCR to maintain its presence whenever possible with a focus on the most vulnerable. We also urge donors to ensure sufficient funding for UNHCR response in Ukraine. Finally, Ukraine pays tribute to you, Mr. Filippo Grandi, as you conclude 10 years of distinguished service as High Commissioner.


3rd Committee · Chair [48:40]:

Thank you, Ukraine, for the statement. Godeva, you're next.


Côte d’Ivoire [48:48]:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Côte d’Ivoire takes note of the presentation of the reports of the UNHCR, and we deeply appreciate the UNHCR for its steadfast commitment to the protection of refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs, and the stateless all over the world. We are particularly sensitive at the tragic situation of over 120 million people uprooted globally due to conflicts, climate crises, and socioeconomic instability. We thus reiterate our full support to the mandate of the UNHCR and the comprehensive approach to sharing responsibility enshrined in the Global Compact on Refugees. Finally, we reaffirm our commitment and to international solidarity to predictable financing of the UNHCR as well. Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [49:35]:

Thank you, Portugal, for the statement. Portugal, the floor is yours.


Portugal [49:41]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair, High Commissioner. Portugal would like to thank you for your annual report, and as your tenure draws to a close, we would like also to convey our sincere appreciation for your outstanding commitment and leadership. By the end of 2024, the number of people forcibly displaced worldwide had reached a staggering 123 million, an increase of 6 million in just one year. Conflicts in Sudan, DRC, Ukraine, and Myanmar, as well as in the Middle East, have fueled new and protracted crises, while extreme weather events and natural disasters have further exacerbated displacement. Population movements have become increasingly complex and mixed, as refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants often move along the same routes, driven not only by conflict and persecution, but also by climate change, food insecurity, and lack of opportunity. At a time of severe funding constraints and growing humanitarian needs, it is crucial that we reaffirm our collective commitment to the principles of protection and solidarity. It is vital that we sustain our support for UNHCR and ensure that its action extends beyond immediate protection to include access to education, social protection, and mental health care. In 2024, Portugal financed UNHCR.


3rd Committee · Chair [51:15]:

Thank you, Portugal, for the statement. I now give the floor to Myanmar.


Myanmar [51:19]:

Thank you, Chair. Myanmar thanks the High Commissioner for his comprehensive statement and his outstanding work. The crisis of displacement in Myanmar is calculated atrocity inflicted by the military junta. The scale of this man-made crisis is staggering. The number of IDPs reached over 3.5 million, with an additional over 1.5 million Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers scattered across the region and beyond. People, especially women, girls, and children, bear the brunt of the crisis. Some IDPs became the victims of transnational organized crimes, including online scams, human and drug trafficking. Moreover, the plight of Rohingya cannot be understated, nor can it be separated from the larger humanitarian crisis faced in Myanmar. Yet the perpetrators continue committing serious crimes with impunity. The junta is now attempting to mask this depravity with a sham election. The sham election is illegal and a deceitful process. It will create more violence and instability, and produce more refugees and IDPs. The UN should not fail the people of Myanmar. Only by addressing the root cause of this issue will we find a solution.

Sincere engagement by the international community

with all relevant stakeholders, including NUG, are crucial for finding a sustainable solution of the crisis in Myanmar. I thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [52:49]:

Thank you, myanmar, for the statement. Sven, you're next.


Spain [52:53]:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Then joins with the statement of the European Union and in our national capacity, we'd like to add a few additional comments. Sir High Commissioner, may I say how grateful we are, how much we appreciate your 10 years of service? Humanitarian diplomacy is the most noble of international actions. Spain is one of the most generous supporters of UNHCR. We have strengthened our hosting policy, and Spain's commitment to gender equality is also evident in international protection. Women and girls who are refugees are up against particular difficulties, we need humanitarian equality in all decisions affecting them. We also wish to protect those suffering because of their identity and their gender identity. This year, SPEN launched the Seville Plan supporting multilateralism for refuge and strengthening actions to revitalize it. We have a central role for UNHCR here. The forthcoming Global Forum for Refugees will be an opportunity to show the commitments entered into and how they are being complied with and extended. Thank you.


Pakistan [54:27]:

Thank you, Chair. On behalf of Pakistan, let me congratulate the High Commissioner for the remarkable services he rendered during his tenure, Mr. Chair. For over four decades, Pakistan has generously hosted more than 4 million Afghan nationals, managing one of the world's largest and most protracted refugee situations. Despite our domestic situation, including economic pressure, security challenges, and overstretched public services, we have upheld humanitarian principles by providing safety, access to education, healthcare, and livelihoods to the extent possible. It is now our shared responsibility to facilitate safe and dignified returns of displaced Afghans to their country. Mr. Chair, long-term solutions for protracted refugee populations are the need of hour. To that end, first, we emphasize the urgent need for adequate and sustainable financing for UNHCR. Second, a sustained investment in voluntary repatriation and reintegration in the country of origin are essential for achieving durable solutions. Finally, we need to address the root causes of displacement, conflict prevention, and peaceful settlement of disputes. Mr. Chair, we stand ready to collaborate with the international community, particularly to the UN, to support the safe, repatriation, resettlement, and long-term welfare of Afghan refugees. Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [55:49]:

Thank you, Pakistan. Saudi Arabia, you have the floor.


Saudi Arabia [55:55]:

Mr. Chairman, firstly, We should like to thank the High Commissioner for his detailed report. Chair, dear colleagues, my colleague once again states its resolute commitment on humanitarian aid. This is based on our Islamic values and our moral commitment to help the victims of war and disaster. My country was amongst the leading ones supporting international help, and we've been a partner of UNHCR over more than 30 years. We have both financially and in human terms taken action to help refugees and IDPs in many countries, particularly with programs for health, education, protection, sanitation, inter alia. Sir, dear colleagues. My country has launched several specific initiatives, particularly by means of our Royal Centre working with UNHCR. The most vulnerable categories, IDPs amongst them, have been aided. The centre continues also to provide support for Sudan. It has a an airlift for aid to the Sudanese. The microphone is cut off.


3rd Committee · Chair [57:27]:

Next speakers on my list will be the Republic of Korea, Brazil, Algeria, Hungary, and China, to be followed by the Russian Federation, Finland, Lebanon, Guatemala, and Uruguay. Republic of Korea, floor yours.


Republic of Korea [57:58]:

that even under immense pressures, UNHCR continues to stand at the forefront of protecting those forced to flee across the globe. We underscore the importance of upholding the principle of non-refoulement. Advancing the humanitarian development and peace nexus has also become more essential than ever. We must redouble collective efforts toward conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and diplomacy. Achieving sustainable outcomes requires responses that go beyond short-term relief. The Republic of Korea has been supporting comprehensive and long-term solutions, and we will continue to do so. In parallel, we encourage UNHCR to continue its reform efforts to become more agile, efficient, and fit for purpose, including through close alignment with the UN80 and Humanitarian Missions. In this regard, We also encourage continued efforts to broaden and diversify the donor base as part of strengthening the sustainability of UNHCR's work. High Commissioner, we are pleased to note your productive visit to the Republic of Korea in October and look forward to deepening this cooperation in the years ahead. As your tenure comes to an end, we convey our sincere appreciation to your dedicated leadership throughout an exceptionally challenging decade. Your steadfast commitment has helped safeguard protection and millions of displaced people around the world. The Republic of Korea reaffirms its unwavering support for UNHCR in this turbulent time. I thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [59:26]:

Thank you, the Republic of Korea, for the statement. Brazil, the floor is yours.


Brazil [59:32]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Brazil wishes to express its deep appreciation for the leadership and valuable contributions of UN High Commissioner, Mr. Filippo Grandi, as we approach the end of his mandate. We fully share his call to defend asylum at a time when norms are increasingly disregarded and solidarity is under pressure. Brazil fully agrees with you, Mr. High Commissioner. The 1951 Refugee Convention and its Protocol remain as relevant today as ever. While the annual report portrays a deeply concerning global scenario, it also highlights numerous examples of resilience and innovation. In this regard, Brazil wishes to express its gratitude for the support of UNHCR to Operation Welcome. and to our community sponsorship program for Afghan nationals, which is mentioned in the report. Brazil is also proud to share the recent launch of our national policy on migration, refugee, and statelessness, which is yet another example of our strong commitment to international protection and a migration governance based on human rights and the non-criminalization of displaced populations at the national, regional, and international levels. I thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:00:51]:

Thank you, Brazil. Algeria?


Algeria [1:00:56]:

Thank you, Mr. President. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the High Commissioner Filippo Grandi for his enlightening briefing and to thank him for his dedication at the head of UNHCR in leading international action to protect refugees and safeguard their rights and well-being and those of displaced persons globally. As highlighted in the report, the huge number of refugees and displaced persons over the world is due to a confluence of diverse factors triggering a humanitarian crisis. This emphasizes the critical need for improving international frameworks for the protection and assistance of displaced persons. Thus, we notice that the disproportionate burden of the global refugee crisis falls on developing countries, straining their resources, infrastructure, and social services to a near breaking point. The international community, in line with the principle of international solidarity, must fulfill its obligations under international law, including international refugee law, and significantly enhance its support to these host countries through immediate humanitarian assistance and long-term solutions. Coordinated action is critical to bolster protection and tackle the primary drivers of displacement. We have a question to kindly ask to Mr. Grandi. How does the UNHCR plan for and respond to underfunding in its various operations? Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:02:21]:

Thank you, Algeria. Hungary, please.


Hungary [1:02:24]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We align ourselves with the statement made by the European Union. I would like to thank you, High Commissioner, for presenting your report and to express our appreciation for your dedication that we have witnessed in the past decade. We wish you continued success in your future endeavors. Nevertheless, while our next chapter begins, we are still facing a rather difficult one, affected extensively by the complex phenomenon of migration. I would like to recall that the causes of migration differ on a wide scale. Dedicated regions of the world, like Hungary and Europe, or the countries of the Americas are under constant migratory pressure. Therefore, we consistently argue that instead of creating pull factors, we should address the root causes of migration. Consequently, the focus of Hungary's migration policy is on effective border protection and local assistance. I would like to underline that Hungary considers it to be of utmost importance that we differentiate between economic migrants and refugees. Our focus should be on helping third countries by creating stable and secure conditions to ensure that people can remain in their countries in peace and prosperity. The failure to do so could lead to unprecedented conflict-related migration flows or grave humanitarian crises, as we have witnessed too often in the past decade. In this regard, Hungary strives for constructive cooperation with international organizations and we remain committed to supporting the mandate of the UNHCR to protect the rights and well-being of refugees. Hungary continues to value multilateral cooperation, however, we believe that UN system could and should be more effective.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:03:55]:

Thank you, Hungary, for the statement. China.


China [1:04:09]:

In the past 10 years, Led by the High Commissioner, UNHCR has worked extensively to respond to the global refugee crisis and promote internal reforms. China appreciates these efforts. Today, regional hotspot issues continue to drag on, and a certain major country has significantly reduced humanitarian assistance, exacerbating the conundrum of global refugee governance. China believes that resolving the refugee issue requires addressing fundamental security and development challenges and pursuing Long-term solutions. The international community should support UNHCR in improving its efficiency and ability to perform its duties through reforms. Developed countries should earnestly fulfill their aid commitments. Countries that are primarily responsible for the refugee issue should expand assistance and uphold the principle of shared responsibilities with practical actions. Mr. Chair. Faced with new situations and new challenges, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative, which is of great practical guiding significance for improving global refugee governance and solving the root causes of refugee issues. China will continue to support the work of UNHCR and work with all parties to make contributions to properly responding the refugee crisis and advancing the global humanitarian cause. Thank you, Mr. Chair.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:05:34]:

Thank you, China, for the statement. The Russian Federation. The floor is yours.


Russian Federation [1:05:40]:

Mr. Chairman, we thank Mr. Filippo Grandi for his traditional annual report, which he presented. The Russian Federation commends the humanitarian work of the UNHCR. We note the Office’s work in enhancing the effectiveness of international protection of refugees and other types of peoples falling under its remit. I want to thank Filippo Grandi separately for his many years of work in this important position and his major personal contribution to addressing the problem of forced migration. An effectively functioning asylum system fully depends on the states abiding by their international legal and humanitarian commitments here, primarily those set out in the Convention on the Status of Refugees of 1951 and its 1967 Protocol. We share the concern about the Office that some countries are restricting access to their territory or asylum procedures or trying to shift responsibility for asylum onto other countries. These steps adversely affect refugees and asylum seekers and weaken the system of their international protection. We note the efforts of the Office to curb the numbers of stateless people. We hope that the Office will continue to spotlight this serious problem. In closing, I want to underscore that the Russian Federation will continue to cooperate with the UNHCR and will provide it with every means of support. Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:07:04]:

Thank you to the Russian Federation for the statement. Finland, you are next.


Finland · Nordic Group [1:07:09]:

Thank you, Chair. High Commissioner, for your presentation and report. I deliver remarks on behalf of Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and my own country, Finland. The Nordic countries have a deep and long-standing commitment to UNHCR and its mandate. The Nordic countries also facilitate negotiations of the annual UNHCR Omnibus Resolution that supports the humanitarian and non-political mandate of UNHCR. We wish to I thank all Member States who have actively participated in the process and encourage all missions to register as co-sponsors for the resolution. High Commissioner, displacement has almost doubled globally over the last decade and reached staggering 129 million during the High Commissioner’s reporting period. Simultaneously, UNHCR and the broader humanitarian community are facing an unprecedented financial crisis. Upholding the mandate of UNHCR is vital. UNHCR deserves our full appreciation for their commitment to stay and deliver where assistance is needed. Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:08:20]:

I thank Finland for its statement. Lebanon, you are next.


Lebanon [1:08:25]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The delegation of Lebanon takes note with appreciation of the comprehensive report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Filippo Grandi, and welcomes his today's briefing. In his report, the High Commissioner for Refugees confirms that the situation in the Middle East was increasingly fragile, with implications for regional and global peace and security. As a consequence of the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, over 1 million people were displaced, both within Lebanon and into the Syrian Arab Republic. Also, most Lebanese returned following the ceasefire in November 2024. Mr. Chair, over the past years, Lebanon has constantly advocated for the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of the 1.8 million Syrian refugees, 880,000 of whom are registered with UNHCR. And with security restored to Syria, Lebanon is more committed than ever to the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland. This has been translated by the third phase that my country, Lebanon, has reached of its government plan to repatriate Syrian refugees to their homeland. In this context, Lebanon expressed its deep gratitude to the UNHCR for facilitating the return of Syrian refugees while covering transportation costs. I thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:09:49]:

Thank you, Lebanon, for your statement. Guatemala, you have the floor.


Guatemala [1:09:55]:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Guatemala welcomes the report and congratulates UNHCR on its 75th anniversary since its statute was approved by the General Assembly. We would particularly like to thank Madame Besson-Olmesen for the work she has done, and we welcome Señora Magda Medina, new UNHCR representative in Guatemala. We trust that we shall continue to strengthen cooperation to help those who need protection. We are at a complex time for cooperation when it comes to financial resources, so therefore we urge UNHCR to continue rationalizing and coordinating, given that the mandate is vital on the ground. In the Americas, we've seen a drop in movements, but there are still many challenges when it comes to complex cross-border movements. So Therefore, we approved the Plan of Action Chile 2024-2034 in order to strengthen asylum systems. In the Regional Framework for Protection and Solutions, mechanism MRPS, we continue to work for specific sustainable actions for lasting solutions. Lastly, we wish to pay tribute to the work done by Filippo Grandi. We particularly value his leadership in strengthening relations with Guatemala. And we wish him all the best for the future. Thank you very much, sir.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:11:24]:

Thank you, Guatemala, for the statement. Uruguay, the floor is yours.


Uruguay [1:11:35]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uruguay wishes to pay tribute to the work of Filippo Grandi, the High Commissioner, and emphasize So how important it is to protect the IDPs because of armed conflict, violations of human rights, and also stateless. We are particularly concerned about the decline in international cooperation and the significant cuts in resources going to UNHCR to enable it to fulfill its mandate. This threatens the dignity of millions of people depending on its humanitarian assistance. We also regret the closure of the office in Uruguay. Uruguay welcomes innovative measures to improve our asylum facilities. We have shared our good practices. We have taken a further step to deal with the sometimes impossible conditions we have, solidarity. is necessary and should be rewarded, that's our agenda. So we welcome the commitment and humanity with which you've played your role, and we appreciate this and wish all the best to your successor. Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:12:48]:

Thank you, Europe 1, for the statement. Next speakers on my list will be Nigeria, Azerbaijan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Colombia, Mexico. be followed by Romania, France, Haiti, Costa Rica, and Germany. Ntiri, you have the floor.


Nigeria [1:13:11]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

We thank the High Commissioner, Mr. Filippo

Grandi, for his comprehensive report and for his office in the commitment to the protection of refugees, asylum seekers,

stateless persons, and internally displaced persons worldwide.

We acknowledge the growing challenges faced by the Office, including the rising displacement

figures and severe funding shortfall that threaten its ability to deliver critical protection and assistance to those in need.

Nigeria remains committed to upholding its international obligations and ensuring the protection and inclusion of refugees within its borders.

Mr. High Commissioner, how does your office intend to strengthen financial and political support to respond effectively to emerging crises and sustain protection programs, and continue to build resilience and self-reliance of affected populations? Nigeria reaffirms its unwavering support for your mandate as you come to the end of your mandate, and

we urge the international community to renew its solidarity with displaced persons and host countries alike. Together, through strengthened multilateral cooperation and shared responsibility, we can uphold the dignity, rights,

and hope of millions forced to flee their homes.

I thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:14:29]:

Thank you, Nigeria. Asa Baiju, you're next.


Azerbaijan [1:14:33]:

Mr. Chair. The full version of the statement will be on UN Journal. We thank Mr. Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, for his report and briefing. The increasing number of displaced populations worldwide, primarily driven by conflicts and violence, is a shared responsibility of the international community. Azerbaijan has first-hand experience with forceful displacement, hosting one of the largest per capita refugees and IDPs in the world as a consequence of the conflict since the early 1990s. During the post-conflict period, since 2020, the Government has launched extensive rehabilitation and reconstruction measures in the liberated territories to facilitate the safe and dignified return of IDPs to their places of origin. The Great Return Programme has already supported the return, resettlement, and reintegration of more than 50,000 former IDPs across six cities, two towns, and 20 villages. The return of IDPs is significantly hindered by the widespread mine contamination of the liberated territories. The scale of this pressing humanitarian concern necessitates adequate international assistance for humanitarian demining. Mr. Chair, since acceding to the Global Compact on Refugees in 2018 and in line with its objectives, the Government of Azerbaijan has been implementing national measures to support refugees residing in Azerbaijan. At the same time, the interagency. Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:16:05]:

Thank you, Azerbaijan, for your statement. Now we turn the floor to the Islamic Republic of Iran.


Iran (Islamic Republic of) [1:16:13]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The High Commissioner has repeatedly emphasized that the burden and responsibility of hosting refugees must be shared by the international community. It is of grave concern that UNHCR's budget has been reduced by 20%. We note with disappointment that the 2026 UNHCR Tehran office budget remains low, utterly insufficient to address the challenges faced by Iran as a host country for 6 to 8 million Afghan refugees over decades. This allocation stands in stark contrast to the millions of dollars spent by Iran in providing free health, education, and other essential services to Afghan refugees and displaced persons, despite serious resource constraints and the limitations imposed by UCMs. Afghan refugees have been integrated into our society and have not been confined to camps or shelters. The recent unlawful attack by the Israeli regime and the United States in June 2025 to Iran, along with ongoing unilateral sanctions, have severely affected regional and national security, as well as Iran's capacity to address humanitarian needs. Despite these challenges, Iran remains committed to its obligation under the 1951 Refugee Convention. Nevertheless, under current conditions, some policies may be reviewed to safeguard national security. It should be highlighted that many of those who returned to Afghanistan from Iran in 2025 were holders of temporary residence permits and were informed months in advance of non-renewal of their permits. Their return coordinated with the Afghan Embassy and notified to UNHCR. Therefore, such cases do not amount to forcible returns. I thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:17:40]:

Thank you, Iran. Colombia, the floor is yours.


Colombia [1:17:45]:

We are grateful for the report from the High Commissioner. And we would like to pay tribute to all the support that has been given to our country for refugees provided by UNHCR under Mr. Grandi's mandate. We also thank the staff for their constant commitment to helping and protecting IDPs throughout the world, in particular in our country. We welcome those who wish to ensure the rights of victims of conflict, strength and protection, and move forward. We have more than 3 million migrants in our country. This shows how we've worked together, and how it is possible to work together with agencies and other countries. This shows that it is possible to open doors to those who need it, and fully to respect human rights. As a country firmly behind the Global Forum, we are fully committed to the December meeting and we reiterate our commitment to international cooperation and responsibility. We wish to work towards sustainable solutions to ensure the peace and dignity of all IDPs and refugees. Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:19:10]:

Thank you, Colombia, for the statement. Mexico, you're next.


Mexico [1:19:15]:

Thank you very much. Distinguished High Commissioner, it is an honor to address you in order to express our gratitude for the immense task that you and your team have carried out over the last decade. Our gratitude also goes to your office in Mexico. Thank you very much indeed. Cooperation between UNHCR and our Mexican Commission for Aid to Refugees and other authorities have proved a fundamental pillar to strengthen our national ability to provide support to millions of women, girls, boys, men, the elderly, LGBTI+ people, or those with any special needs or disabilities. In particular, we wish to pay tribute to your support in processing and registration procedures and integration program, which has meant that more than 50,000 refugees have found in Mexico an opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity, with social and productive integration. Most recent report on global trends is a document that the world cannot ignore. Your analysis is correct. While violence does not cease in Sudan, Ukraine, Gaza, and other areas, and why the climate crisis is affecting the most vulnerable, This global wound will continue to bleed. In this complex context, we wish to state once again, we have a humanitarian multilateral vocation. Thank you very much.


Romania [1:20:49]:

Thank you, Chair. We are fully aligned with the EU's statement, and we would like to thank the High Commissioner for his tireless leadership in steering the UNHCR for the past 10 years through exceptionally complex times. We also thank you for your briefing today, which provides some good news. We also commend UNHCR colleagues on the ground for unwavering, life-saving work in contexts most affected by conflict and displacement. More than three and a half years since Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, the humanitarian dimension remains severe. Romania has been and remains on the frontline of the regional response. Since February 2022, millions of people seeking safety have crossed into our country. As of late September 2025, 193,000 persons were benefiting from temporary protection or refugee status in Romania. Our approach is inclusion driven. We offer access to health care, social protection, employment, and housing with a sustained effort to keep children in school. We appreciate the NHR's support, including through the Romexpo One Stop Community Center in Bucharest,

which brings together authorities, UN agencies, and NGOs for documentation, counseling, and livelihood services.

Mr. High Commissioner, even as crises multiply, our commitment remains constant. With over 117 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, we must still keep protection at the center, obviously, of our whole society efforts. We would be interested in your view on best practices in this regard. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors, and we will remain constructive and principled partners of UNHCR.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:22:16]:

Thank you, Romania. France, you have the floor.


France [1:22:25]:

Mr. Chair, France endorses the statement delivered by the delegation of the European Union. Mr. High Commissioner, France hails, first and foremost, your sterling work in accomplishing your mandate to provide refugees and displaced persons with assistance and protection. France is honored to have developed with the UNHCR A close and trustful relationship over the 10 years of your term. We thank you for that. Above, first and foremost, your role is to provide material support, but it is a deeply human role too, due to the solidarity that it expresses at a time. at a crucial time. We’re deeply committed to the 1951 Convention and its 1967 Protocol, as well as the 2018 Global Compact on Refugees. France is also committed to crisis prevention instead of addressing those crises, and we want to see policies to allow for a safe, dignified, and regular return of refugees. We wonder how Member States can be consulted and local partners, and how can attention be given to the personnel of the HCR. Can you tell us how Member States can support you tangibly as you go about discharging all these reforms? Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:23:50]:

Thank you, France, for your statement. The floor is yours.


Haiti [1:23:59]:

Mr. Chair, Mr. Chair, the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees spotlights the grave nature of global humanitarian challenges, which are forced displacements, natural disasters, insecurity, and poverty. We want to make two main points. First, the aggravation of the complex humanitarian crisis stems from insecurity due to armed gangs. This crisis has displaced over 360,000 people and it's led to acute food security that has affected over 5 million Haitians. Second, in this context, our authorities have set up a humanitarian response plan. To do so, we received the support of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, We also received support from numerous bilateral and regional partners. That plan aims to rehouse families that were affected, to rehabilitate basic infrastructure, and to reintegrate children and young people that were forcibly recruited by armed groups. This happens through a vast program of professional training. The Haitian delegation reaffirms its commitment, and we renew our call to the international community, asking for increased support for the humanitarian response in Haiti. I thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:25:22]:

Thank you, Herdy, for the statement. I now give the floor to Costa Rica.


Costa Rica [1:25:30]:

Mr. Chairman, Costa Rica would like to express its gratitude to the High Commissioner for Refugees for his report, and we welcome the recommendations and conclusions therein. As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the creation of UNHCR, my country would like to pay tribute to the work done. and also the relevance of your mandate. 123 million people have been displaced by force and 4.4 people are stateless or living in indeterminate conditions when it comes to their state. Costa Rica, as a country of transit, welcoming migrants and refugees, is deeply concerned at the situation, and we underscore the lacking nature of the international response to this crisis. We need a broad and sustained response, although in some countries we have managed to move from the middle-income category, it's undeniable that the disproportionate effects of the refugee crisis makes it impossible to deal with matters solely with national resources. Costa Rica is grateful for the support of UNHCR in order to strengthen our national asylum systems as streamlined procedures and ensure its equity in incorporating digital digitalization techniques and others, we reiterate our support. Thank you very much.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:26:57]:

Thank you, Costa Rica, for the statement. Germany, you may have the floor.


Germany [1:27:02]:

Thank you, Chair. Germany aligns itself with the statement delivered by the EU. High Commissioner, let me thank you first of all for nearly four decades of your service with the UN. You have been an exemplary leader and a tireless advocate for all those in need of protection. And let me also extend our gratitude to all UNHCR staff around the world. Rest assured that Germany, as the world's fourth largest refugee hosting country and a top donor to UNHCR, will remain deeply committed to your work. That is under such unprecedented challenges, record levels of displacement, attacks on humanitarian workers, and increasing political assaults on the core principles of international humanitarian law. And I want to be crystal clear on this one. The 1951 Convention and its 1967 Protocol are non-negotiable. With the massive funding shortfalls, I wish to strongly also commend you, High Commissioner, for your tireless efforts in prioritizing UNHCR services. And a few points on the way forward. We believe that the reform efforts must continue hand in hand with the humanitarian reset and the UNAD process, and we have made this a pillar of our agenda as chair of the OCHA Donor Support Group, which we hold right now. Secondly, on the triple nexus, we welcome your efforts to close the gap between humanitarian responses, development, and peace, and the sustainable responses approach with


3rd Committee · Chair [1:28:33]:

Thank you, Chairman, for the statement. Next speakers on my list are Poland, Cameroon, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Indonesia, and Morocco. They will be followed by Singapore, Syria, Ethiopia, Georgia, and Ireland. Poland, you may have the floor.


Poland [1:28:54]:

Chair, we thank High Commissioner for his report. Poland aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and welcomes the opportunity to further address the committee in its national capacity. As we convene today, the scale of global displacement and human suffering is truly pertinent. There is over 130 million people falling under the mandate of the UNHCR. This challenging situation is amplified by weakened international adherence to universal principles and humanitarian values. In view of this, Poland would like to express its high appreciation for you and your work, Mr. High Commissioner. We also express thanks for your continued commitment and determined leadership despite nearing towards fulfillment of your second term in this position. Poland remains a strategic partner in multilateral humanitarian aid system and supports the UNHCR's operations politically and financially. We intend to allocate additional voluntary contributions of 1.8 million US dollars to support the UNHCR’s activities in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Algeria. However, gravely concerned that Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine for the fourth year generates nearly one-tenth of the world’s global displacement, we strongly call for the UNHCR’s continued coordination and advocacy in generating international response in order to prevent the situation in Ukraine and in the region to transform into another protracted humanitarian crisis. Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:30:22]:

Thank you, Pauline. Now I would like to give the floor to Cameroon.


Cameroon [1:30:27]:

Thank you, Chair. Cameroon aligns itself with the statement delivered by Kenya on behalf of the African Group. High Commissioner, Cameroon appreciates your leadership and role as High Commissioner and commend your actions during your tenure. We acknowledge the challenging context in which your office has operated in the recent years. We are particularly concerned over increasing humanitarian needs, including for IDPs, as well as the decrease in funding. Cameroon is affected by both situations. As the number of IDPs has increased nationally, most of humanitarian organizations have downsized or shut down their offices in my country, which, in addition, continue to support the burden of refugees. It is therefore essential that the viable contribution to protection of refugees be recognized and the participation in

Mr. Commissioner, there's a dearth of financing for the UNHCHR to appropriately respond. In order to development partners are needed here. We would appreciate additional information about partnerships for development as your tenure draws to a close. What's going to happen with the UNHCR? And what lesson would you give to the humanitarian committee, the humanitarian world? Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:31:52]:

Thank you, Cameron. The Kingdom of the Netherlands, you have the floor.


Netherlands (Kingdom of the) · Benelux [1:31:58]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I deliver this statement on behalf of Belgium, Luxembourg, and my own country, the Kingdom of the Netherlands. And we align ourselves with the statement of the European Union. High Commissioner, let me begin by thanking you for your leadership and for nearly a decade of steadfast service, commitment, and dedication. Excellencies, the high levels of forced displacement and increasingly complex migration movement continue to pose significant challenges. We acknowledge the enormous pressure on hosting countries, in particular, especially in protracted refugee situations. With resources becoming increasingly constrained, we need to to foster the inclusion and self-reliance of refugees and ensure that such inclusion delivers tangible development dividends for the communities and countries hosting them. High Commissioner, we would like to thank you for the active role that UNHCR is playing in the UN80 and humanitarian reset processes. As these changes are being implemented, transparency and clear communication about UNHCR's delivery limitations remain important. It is imperative to uphold protection at the core of your mandate as a collective priority in the ongoing rationalization process. I will close with a question. In the context of UN80 and the humanitarian reset, how can we best support UNHCR in prioritizing its core mandate? I thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:33:27]:

I thank the Kingdom of the Netherlands on behalf of the Benelux countries for the statement. Indonesia, you have the floor.


Indonesia [1:33:34]:

Mr. Chair, Indonesia reaffirms its steadfast support for UNHCR's mandate in protecting displaced persons and upholding their dignity amid complex crises and severe funding gaps. The global displacement crisis is deepening as protracted conflicts force millions from their homes and strain humanitarian capacity. As a transit country, including for the Rohingya, Indonesia has seen refugees suffering frequently worsened by transnational criminal exploitation. In this regard, we identify three priorities. First, addressing root causes. Indonesia works with ASEAN to advance the five-point consensus to end violence, foster dialogue, ensure humanitarian access, and pursue political solutions. Second, combating transnational organized crime. Indonesia will continue firm action against smuggling and trafficking syndicates, while strengthening regional and multilateral cooperation through the Bali process. Third, leveling up international burden and responsibility sharing. State parties must expand resettlement opportunities and increase support for humanitarian agencies. Indonesia has met most global refugee foreign pledges and continues contributing to the UNHCR and bilateral channels. We encourage collaboration with faith-based organizations, key partners in line with UNHCR's humanitarian reset. Mr. Chair, Indonesia remains committed to the Global Compact on Refugees and the 2025 progress review to strengthen solidarity and advance durable solutions for the displaced. Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:34:59]:

Thank you, Indonesia, for the statement. I now give the floor to the Syrian Arab Republic. The floor is yours.


Syrian Arab Republic [1:35:07]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We also thank His Excellency the High Commissioner for his briefing. the full version would be uploaded to the UN journal. Normally, when preparing for this interactive dialogue, we used to think of the images of millions of Syrian refugees around the world, we would remember the capsized boats and the psychological and physical suffering they had to endure to reach safety, to save themselves from crimes and atrocities of the previous regime. The number of Syrian refugees used to increase year after year, but in the midst of this pain, Syrians were able to succeed in host countries and made achievements that we are proud of. Mr. Chair, My government looks forward to the return of all Syrian refugees to their homes, but the past left a heavy burden, destroyed infrastructure and a difficult economic situation. But the Syrian government adopted national policies that led to the return of more than 1 million Syrian refugees since last December. And this is what Mr. Grandi mentioned in his briefing. In conclusion, we express once again our gratitude to all countries that hosted Syrian refugees and the UNHCR under the leadership of the High Commissioner, we stress the importance of voluntary return. This is the only way to ensure a dignified and sustainable return. We call upon the international community to cooperate with the Syrian Government to promptly create conditions conducive to the return of the millions of refugees. The microphone has been cut off.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:36:42]:

Ethiopia, you are next.


Ethiopia [1:36:46]:

I thank you, Mr. Chair. My delegation also congratulates the High Commissioner, Mr. Filippo Grandi, for his commitment and service in protecting and assisting refugees globally despite mounting global challenges. Ethiopia has long been recognized for hosting nearly a million refugees due to high influx from neighboring countries and beyond, owing to our open-door policy rooted in humanity and solidarity. Despite multifaceted challenges, Ethiopia continues to implement progressive refugee policy guided by the Global Compact on Refugees. In this regard, we have taken progressive steps in normative and institutional reform to better protect the rights of refugees, including the generous out-of-camp policy. Our refugee law is one of the most forward-looking legal frameworks. As rightly indicated in the report, the MacCarter Roadmap, roughly translated as inclusivity roadmap, developed with the support of UNHCR, aims at facilitating refugee inclusion in socio-economic affairs. This approach reflects the CTP’s conviction that protection and development must go hand in hand. Nevertheless, Mr. Chair, the growing number of refugees and ever-growing needs continue to outpace available resources. In this context, we would like to ask the High Commissioner how the UNHCR plans to address the growing funding gaps to sustain refugee inclusion programmes in developing countries. I thank you, Chair.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:38:12]:

Thank you. Your speaker for the statement, Georgia, you have the floor.


Georgia [1:38:17]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. First, I would like to express sincere appreciation to the High Commissioner and his office for their work. Regrettably, hundreds of thousands of Georgian citizens who were expelled through several waves of ethnic cleansing from Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia region, illegally occupied by Russia, continue to be deprived of their fundamental right to return to their homes in safety and dignity. The humanitarian and human rights situation in the illegally occupied regions continues to deteriorate.

Ethnic discrimination against Georgians persists.

The government of Georgia continues its efforts to protect the rights of IDPs and provide them with decent living conditions, as well as durable social services and housing solutions, until their voluntary, safe, and dignified return to their places of origin. In the complete absence of international monitoring mechanisms on the ground, Russia's ongoing illegal occupation and militarization of regions of Georgia continue to severely affect the everyday lives of people living there. Russia's actions also pose an imminent threat of the new wave of forced displacement. We renew our call on Russia, the authority exercising effective control over the occupied regions of Georgia, to fulfil its obligation under the EU-mediated 2008 ceasefire agreement, allow international security and human rights mechanisms on the ground, cease grave human rights violations, and ensure safe and dignified return of IDPs and refugees to their homes. Let me conclude by reiterating our full support for the Office of UNHCR and its global efforts in this important work. I thank you, Mr. Chair.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:39:42]:

Thank you, Georgia. I now give the floor to Ireland.


Ireland [1:39:46]:

Thank you, Chair. Ireland aligns with the EU statement. High Commissioner, thank you for your report, your service, and the tireless work of UNHCR staff. We believe that your service has had a positive impact on millions. Today, human suffering is increasing, driven by conflict, climate change, and displacement. UNHCR is at the forefront in addressing these crises. Your mandate to protect is now more important than ever. Arland shares concerns about the challenges UNHCR faces in addressing growing protection needs at a time of drastic funding cuts. To support, Arland will continue to provide quality, flexible funding. Arland backs the ambition of UN80 and the humanitarian reset. Systemic change is necessary, but must be strategic. We must continue to deliver on the UN's core values. High Commissioner, our question is, given the scale of the challenges, how can we best support UNHCR?

As well as host countries and communities, to implement the ideals behind the Global Compact on Refugees.

Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:41:04]:

Thank you, Elin, for your statement. Last speaker is on my list. will be Kyrgyzstan, Egypt, and the Sovereign Order of Malta. Kyrgyzstan, the floor is yours.


Kyrgyzstan [1:41:16]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My delegation expresses its sincere gratitude to High Commissioner Filippo Grandi for his decade-long dedicated service. We recall with appreciation the cooperation between OHCHR staff and my country in achieving the status of the first country to resolve all known cases of statelessness. We ensure that every individual is properly documented, and it remains one of our highest priorities. In this regard, we launched a unique digital project that guarantees 100% registration of all newborns in the country. This project reflects my country's strong commitment to innovation and inclusion and demonstrates that even small states can lead through practical and humane solutions. The Kyrgyz Republic reaffirms its readiness to continue close cooperation with UNHCR and all partners to prevent and reduce statelessness, protect refugees, and ensure that every individual enjoys the right to legal identity and dignity. Thank you, Mr. Chair.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:42:17]:

Thank you. Kyrgyzstan for the statement. Now Egypt.


Egypt [1:42:26]:

Thank you so much, Mr. Chair. Mr. High Commissioner, distinguished delegates, Egypt values its close and constructive cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner and commends the tireless efforts of the High Commissioner in advancing global refugee protection and response mechanisms. We continue to host more than 10 million migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, in addition to large numbers of persons in refugee-like situations. The Government of Egypt ensures their access to basic public services on an equal footing with Egyptian citizens. We wish to draw attention to the widening gap between the growing burdens borne by host countries such as Egypt and the limited level of international funding available. This situation underscores the urgent need for the international community to uphold its shared responsibility towards refugees and host communities in accordance with the principle of burden and responsibility sharing enshrined in the Global Compact of Refugees. Egypt expresses concern over the announced 20% reduction in the UNHCR budget for the coming year. This comes at a time of increasing humanitarian needs and an unprecedented rise in the number of displaced persons worldwide. We stress that such reductions will have adverse consequences for both host countries and refugees, and we will call on the international community to reaffirm its collective commitment to.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:43:56]:

Thank you, Egypt, for the statement. I now give the floor to the Sovereign Order of Malta.


SMOM [1:44:03]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The right to seek and enjoy asylum is a universal human right, a promise that no person fleeing persecution shall be left without protection. Yet today, that promise is under immense strain. Over 117 million people are forcibly displaced globally, with most hosted by countries whose resources are severely tested. For millions, temporary refugee camps have become places of prolonged uncertainty and compounded vulnerability, where insufficient resources and growing xenophobia threaten the spirit of asylum itself. The Sovereign Order of Malta, through Malteser International, works daily to uphold the dignity and rights of those forced to flee. We are active in many crises, supporting Syrian refugees in Turkey, providing medical care for the Rohingya in Bangladesh, and most urgently delivering food, shelter, and medical assistance to internally displaced persons and those crossing borders in Ukraine and neighboring countries. We believe humanitarian response must enable participation and integration, allowing refugees to rebuild their lives. Mr. High Commissioner, what is the most effective way to foster the social and economic integration of refugees, enabling them to move from survival to self-reliance? I thank you very much.


3rd Committee · Chair [1:45:32]:

Thank you, the Sovereign Order of Malta, for your statement. Thank you, all delegations, for your comments and questions. And with that now, I would like to return the microphone to Mr. High Commissioner, if you would like to respond. Please.


UNHCR · High Commissioner for Refugees [1:45:49]:

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. And I'll just take a few minutes of your time. First of all, to thank all of you for your expressions of support to my organization, to UNHCR. I will certainly and with pleasure convey these statements to all my colleagues around the world. Thank you also for the expression of appreciation to myself at the end of my mandate that many of you have expressed. A special thanks I would like to convey to Finland for steering the omnibus resolution. process, which as we know is not simple. I hope it comes to a successful conclusion and that once again you will rally around this important manifestation of support of the international community for the work of my organization. I think the bulk of the questions or statements revolved around what to do. in a situation in which crises increase, solutions are scarce, hostility in some places, not everywhere, against refugees, migrants, foreigners, increases as well, and resources, that unfortunately happens quite a lot these days, are declining. I would say that there's a number of things. I have already tackled some of these questions in my opening remarks, but I'd like to reiterate that what UNHCR will do for sure, we'll continue to uphold the mandate that you have given to us, that you have given to us, of protecting people that are fleeing because of war, persecution, discrimination, and to help you states find solutions to their plight, and, of course, in between, before solutions are found, to support the people that are fleeing and to support also, and this is an increasingly important point, the communities, the countries that are hosting them. So that will continue to be the core of our work. And in order to carry it out in this difficult context, especially financially, it is very clear, and many of you have said it, and I agree, that we will have to continue to streamline our work to make it as effective as possible. Now, I want to stress one point. It is true that now you are witnessing many or some important reform initiatives in the context of the aid community, the humanitarian reset, and the UN community, UN80, and the two are overlapping in many ways. But I want to remind you that throughout my tenure, for sure, we have continued to carry out important reforms to be more effective and more efficient, and to use resources given to us by donors, by taxpayers through their governments, in the most effective manner. And I think we've made, there's no time here to detail that, but we've made considerable strides, and now much of that experience, and humanitarians are probably ahead of most other organizations in these efforts of reform. I can tell you, because I've been part of discussions on UN80, on humanitarian reset, especially on UN80, we were all with the Secretary General last week on this, the experience the solutions that are being proposed by the humanitarian organization, including UNHCR, are now being used in the UN at large because we have been working and focusing on this for many years. Of course, the financial crisis, but these efforts to reform is an accelerator of reforms, and we have to really stay behind that as much as possible. I would say that on your side, many of you are countries hosting refugees or theater of displacement. Many of you are donors. I repeat what we always say, please, good policies, good inclusive policies in respect of refugees that you host, even displaced people of your own nationality. They are more favorable to attract funding that is not just humanitarian, that I fear will never go back again to previous levels, but is more of a developmental nature. Not so that refugees will stay in your countries forever, but during the time when they must stay in your country because they cannot go back, these inclusive policies and the flow of development funds include stability, include advantages also to your host So it is this combination of good policies and sustained development funding in addition to humanitarian funding, the way I see this segment of humanitarian assistance evolving in the future. Of course, that means that we need to step up our partnerships, especially with development organizations, but I said it in the beginning, a lot has been done, and also in some cases, where appropriate, with the private sector, with foundations that have important funding and approaches that can be helpful for us. To donors, a plea, I understand, of course, i made a plea, please, we have still a deficit between now and the end of the year. Help us, and some of you have mentioned, not only here, but in other fora, that they are trying to find at the end of the year some additional funding, very valuable, but please, early pledges for 2026. At the beginning of December in Geneva, As an offshoot of the General Assembly, we will hold our annual pledging conference. We expect really good, substantive, flexible pledge. Can I make a plea for flexibility? Flexibility is very important. And this is, the erosion of flexibility is almost as bad as the erosion of funding. Because without flexibility, we cannot address emergencies very effectively. We cannot distribute equitably, which is another question you asked. across the board, the resources where the needs are, because inflexibility, earmarking means that we have to put them where certain donors want us to put them. So please, join us, all of you, in this struggle to receive not only timely and substantive funding, but flexible funding as well. A few other points. You know, one delegation mentioned pull factors. Certainly, UNHCR is not into creating pull factors for refugees or displaced people. There are many push factors created by conflict, by violence, by discrimination, but pull factors we're not into. On the contrary, we advocate for solutions. And this is an important theme of our report that we are presenting to you today, of my introduction. Solutions that are many, of course, voluntary return, I won't repeat, I discussed it in my opening, but also many of you, Kenya with Shirika, Ethiopia with Makatet, Colombia with the temporary protection long-term. I could give many, many examples of countries that have been pioneering important solutions during the time when refugees cannot go back home. These are the inclusive policies that I was talking about. And then, of course, and I didn't mention it, but I can mention it now, resettlement. This was raised by Malaysia very strongly and very effectively. I agree with Malaysia. Resettlement is small. It has declined, the number of people going to third countries, but it's still a very important solution for host countries to relieve part of their burden, and also for people that have specific needs. That's why I am arguing, now that resettlement has become smaller, let's use it very strategically. And of course, and there I would like to thank Canada in particular that has reiterated its commitment to resettlement. By the way, solutions apply also to statelessness. I didn't have time in my opening to recall how important it is, but we heard from Thailand, we heard from Kyrgyzstan, the importance of fighting, reducing, and eliminating statelessness. This is part of my mandate, our mandate. I want to thank all those of you who have have been active on that. All of this partnership, reforms, flexibility, nexus, solutions in particular, will be the central theme of the progress review of the Global Refugee Forum that will take place in mid-December in Geneva. Many of you have asked what's the expectation? The expectation is that we reflect together on all these important directions, which are quite clear, and we discuss how you can enable us to continue working along these directions, which is the only way that we can maintain the work, we can uphold the mandate that you have given us. A few very, very quick remarks on specific situation, just to recall, because it was mentioned in the first statement by Venezuela on behalf also of other countries, just to recall that we are not involved in Palestine, in Gaza and the West Bank, and in general with Palestinian refugees, because UNRWA has that mandate. There is a very precise division of labor that you have established, and we observe it quite scrupulously. This is not to say that we're not anguished and horrified, or we have been anguished and horrified by some of what has happened in the last couple of years, but we share this relief that perhaps this ceasefire will open the door to a better There's been some statements or some statements touching on the situation of Sudan, the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. We share the horror when confronted with some of the information. that has transpired, especially after the battle in El Fasher and the fall to El Fasher to the RSF, some of the reports need to be investigated and clarified because they have conveyed news of horrifying violence against civilians that is absolutely unacceptable, including the use of sexual violence, some of you have mentioned that, which continues to worry us as an instrument of conflict. I think the situation in Sudan offers also some reasons for some optimism. The statement of the Quad in the beginning of September with its proposals for a cessation of hostilities, ceasefire followed by meaningful peace talk. This is the direction that needs to continue to be followed, and that is the only way through which, among other things, the situation of millions of displaced and refugees from Sudan can be resolved. I won't elaborate on Afghanistan and on Afghan refugees, because I did that in my opening. Just to say that I heard the statement in particular of Iran and Pakistan, and I reiterate my strong encouragement to gather in the quadripartite format that we support, this proposal to have the meetings in December, and I hope that then we can discuss more in depth some of those complex challenges that you have mentioned. I'm also glad that some of you, Myanmar itself, Indonesia, and others, have mentioned the situation in Myanmar. I was there not so long ago. I was actually in most of this crisis this year, and I can reiterate the same that I say about other situations: without a political, without transferring the tensions from the military sphere to the political and diplomatic one, the situation in Myanmar will continue to deteriorate. So I hope this shift eventually will happen. I believe that it can only happen with strong external pressure for this to happen by countries in the regions and beyond. And I also recommend that if this happens eventually, the situation in particular of the Rohingya minority, which have suffered discrimination long before these de facto authorities came to power, long before have suffered violence and discrimination, be finally addressed. And I want to conclude simply, there was a question, i think, by Cameroon that was quite a challenge. What's the advice that I would give for my successors or for the future of humanitarian work? Well, you know, there's a lot to say. I still have a few speaking engagement between now and the end of my tenure. I'll use that to do it. But I would say, let's stay the course on humanitarian action. We, the humanitarians, deal with people that face extreme adversity. So we can face ourselves adversity. We learn from them the resilience that is needed to face adversity. And we will do that. And we will continue, I can assure you, and I can't speak for my successor, but I'm sure that This organization, UNHCR, like other humanitarian organizations, will continue to be with those in need, in our case, refugees, internally displaced people, stateless people. And we will continue to say that humanitarian action is not political and must not be politicized, but that the solutions that bring an end to humanitarian and refugee crisis must be political. And that is the ball for this is in your court. Thank you very much.


3rd Committee · Chair [2:01:00]:

Thank you very much. The High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Filippo Grandi. for the presentation, for the comments, for the answers, and especially let me join delegations across the room in express my thanks to you for your wonderful work in the past 10 years. Thank you so much and all the best to you. Now, colleagues, before we resume our general statements on any or all items, I would like to remind delegations of the usual time limit of three minutes. Delegations wishing to deliver a statement are invited to press their microphone button at this time. I would like to remind delegations that this is the last opportunity in this session to deliver a general statement under any or all items. The microphone light will start blinking 30 seconds before the expiration of the time limit, and the microphones will be automatically switched off when the time is up. Now I would like to give the floor to Kuwait.


Kuwait [2:02:49]:

In the name of God, most Gracious, most Merciful. I thank you, Chair, and we listened carefully to the discussion during this meeting. We wish to thank you for your management of our work. We thank those who have mentioned human rights objectively, too, in particular, the issue of religious and ethnic discrimination. We believe that human diversity is a source of strength rather than division. In my country, over 170 nationalities coexist, reflecting the values of justice and tolerance. All discrimination against any category of people affects entire societies. We've seen Islamophobia, it's on the rise. This is a concern, especially in light of the impact it can have on the social fabric and on human values. We accordingly hail the work of the Special Rapporteur as concerns the freedom of religion and of belief, in particular as regards Islamophobia, which is on the rise globally, according to the report. We also commend the nomination of Mr. Mouratidis as envoy of the UN to counter Islamophobia. We hope this will buttress the values of mutual respect and tolerance. We also fully back the work of the Special Rapporteur in terms of combating all forms of hate and intolerance, and we hope that UN mechanisms, especially as concerns Islamophobia, will be strengthened. so as to strengthen the freedom of religion. Thank you.


3rd Committee · Chair [2:04:42]:

Thank you, Kuwait, for your statement. I see no further request for the floor. The Committee has therefore concluded its general statements for this session. Colleagues, the Committee will begin its action phase on Tuesday morning. November 11 at 10:00 AM in the morning. The list of draft also to be considered will be listed on iGov. And with that, thank you so much for your kind cooperation. The meeting is adjourned.