Third Committee, 12th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 81st session

Good afternoon, colleagues. The 12th meeting of the Third Committee at the 81st session of the General Assembly is called to order. I now invite the Committee to resume its consideration of agenda item 70, entitled Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, and its sub-items A to D. The Committee will now resume its general discussion of agenda item 70 and its sub-items. I wish to remind delegations to strictly adhere to the time limits of four minutes for delegations speaking on behalf of a group of states and three minutes for interventions by individual delegations. The microphones will blink 30 seconds before the expiration of the time limit, and the microphones will be automatically switched off when the time is up. I also wish to remind delegations that the list of speakers for this item is now closed. I encourage delegations to actively monitor the live list to ensure that they are ready to speak at their allotted time slot. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Dominican Republic.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. The Dominican Republic reaffirms its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights in an effective way. This is underpinned by our constitution that recognises human dignity, equality and the effective protection of fundamental rights as essential pillars of the state. This commitment has led to concrete progress. Our law, for instance, 121, on the elimination of marriage for those under 18, ensures the protection of children and adolescents. Similarly, our legal order is making progress in inclusion through Law 34-23 on care, inclusion and protection for persons with autism spectrum disorder. Together with public policies and institutional mechanisms intended at guaranteeing equality and non-discrimination, we are also broadening protection for vulnerable persons and ensuring effective economic, social, cultural and political rights. These efforts include essential areas such as education, health care, social protection, accessibility, access to justice and participation in public life. Madam Chair, the Dominican Republic has a policy of openness, dialogue and cooperation with international human rights mechanisms. We are convinced that multilateral cooperation and the exchange of good practices are essential tools for strengthening national capacities and for making progress in the effective protection of fundamental rights. This commitment guides our multilateral action and has done from the period 2024 through 2026. And during this time, we have had the honor of serving on the Human Rights Council of the United Nations. where we were able to contribute to dialogue and cooperation and building consensus. On the basis of this experience, on the basis of our commitment to the universal human rights system, the Dominican Republic has presented its candidacy for re-election to the Human Rights Council for the period through 2029. This is an expression of our will to continue contributing a constructive voice from Latin America and the Caribbean because we are convinced of the universality, indivisibility, and interdependence of all human rights, the strengthening of multilateralism and international cooperation. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Dominican Republic and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Saudi Arabia.

Thank you, Madam Chair. At the outset, my delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain on behalf of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. Madam Chair, In promoting and protecting human rights, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia proceeds from its established values, the provisions of Islamic Sharia, and its national laws. The Basic Law of Governance provides that the state shall protect human rights in accordance with Islamic Sharia. On that basis, the Kingdom continues to develop its legislative and institutional framework so as to guarantee rights for citizens and residents without discrimination, consistent with its international obligations. My country affirms that human rights are interdependent and indivisible. Advancing them requires sustained work in the fields of justice, education, health, and social protection, together with raising awareness of rights and responsibilities. The Human Rights Commission, in cooperation with government entities and civil society institutions, plays an important role in awareness raising, capacity building, and entrenching a culture of human rights. In that context, the programs of the King Abdulaziz Center for Culture Communication, including the Nesej initiative, contribute to promoting dialogue, tolerance, and social coexistence. The Kingdom also attaches importance to the rights, dignity, and quality of life of older persons by developing care and support services and enhancing their participation in society. Madam Chair, the Kingdom is committed to the international human rights conventions to which it has become a party, and it cooperates with the bodies established under them by submitting its periodic reports and engaging in their dialogues. It is equally keen to cooperate constructively with the relevant UN mechanisms. to exchange expertise and to benefit from technical cooperation. One example is the implementation by the Human Rights Commission in cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights of programs to build national capacity and disseminate knowledge of human rights. My country stresses that international cooperation in this field should be based on constructive dialogue and mutual respect. It should also take into account the national context and the cultural and religious values of states so as to achieve tangible and sustainable progress in the protection of human rights. In conclusion, my government affirms that, notwithstanding achievements made, it is determined to move forward in supporting, promoting and protecting human rights in line with its national laws and its international obligations. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Saudi Arabia, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Papua New Guinea.

Distinguished Chair, the protection of human rights, fundamental freedoms, and respect for human dignity remains an important cornerstone of our democracy in Papua New Guinea, as provided for in our constitution. In recent years, we have taken further steps to strengthen how these rights are protected in practice. A strategic plan on human rights 2024 to 2029 provides a national framework for strengthening institutions, improving public awareness, and bringing greater coordination to the implementation and reporting of our human rights commitments. It also lays the groundwork for a national mechanism for implementation, reporting, and follow-up. Chair, next month, Papua New Guinea will appear before the Human Rights Council for our fourth universal periodic review. We approach that review conscious of the progress we have made while recognizing that more remains to be done and for which we are strongly committed to. The protection of women and girls remains a priority, our gender equality and women's empowerment policy 2020. 5 to 2035 is being implemented alongside stronger measures to address gender-based violence. We are also strengthening our national response to sorcery accusation-related violence through the National Action Plan against SAB 2024 to 2029, supported by the criminal code reforms, including passage of the Glassman Act to criminalize sorcery accusation-related violence, which strengthens accountability for those who incite or facilitate such violence. For our children, the Lookout and Pikanini Act, the Ending Violence Against Children Roadmap, and the establishment of a dedicated parliamentary committee on children and youth wellbeing are strengthening protection and accountability. We have also modernised our civil registration laws and are working to expand birth registration and legal identity, particularly in rural and remote communities. Chair, We know that laws and policies alone are not enough. For Papua New Guinea, ensuring services, protection and access to justice reaches our people remains a priority, but also comes with many challenges, which we are addressing with the society as a whole. This is also why we value the UPR process. It allows us to account for our progress, acknowledges where we can do better, and continue strengthening our national human rights framework, and more importantly, protect our people's rights and dignity. Papua New Guinea remains committed to working with the United Nations, our development partners, the civil society, and our communities to ensure that the rights guaranteed to our people are also felt in their everyday lives. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Papua New Guinea, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Niger.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Niger strives to guarantee respect for human rights, carrying out important reforms to strengthen rule of law, improving access to justice, and improving gender equality, as well as protecting vulnerable groups, including children, persons with disabilities, elderly persons and IDPs. We've made considerable efforts with regard to education, healthcare, combating poverty, despite the security and climate threats that our country faces. With regard to the international, regional and national legal frameworks, between 2021-2026, our region has ratified four conventions, adopted over 40 laws and regulations aiming to better protect certain categories of rights, guarantee the independence of the judiciary, and help promote and protect human rights, as well as punish violations and abuses. On the institutional front, our re-foundation charter has established various institutions and public bodies to promote and protect human rights. These include the state court, for judicial and administrative orders, the Court of Audit, the Constitutional Council, which aims at supporting the state rebuilding process, the National Observatory for Communication, and the National Commission to Combat Crime, as well as financial and tax crime, among others. with regard to public policy related to human rights. We have more than 40 strategies, policies, plans, and sectoral programs that have been adopted, including the framework document for protecting the rights of the child, the national strategy for prevention and response to gender-based violence and its plan of action, 2028, the national strategic plan to prevent child marriage, 2028, and the program for rebuilding the republic, 2025, 2029. On the legal front, we have carried out important reforms with a new criminal code and new criminal procedural code. This is a major watershed moment in our justice administration process. We have improved our criminal code to guarantee greater speed in the processing of cases. Madam Chair, despite the significant progress that has been made in our country, Major challenges remain. We'd like to reaffirm that Niger remains a country that respects human rights and is deeply committed to the values, dignity, and sacred nature of the human person. We plan to continue resolutely with these efforts in close cooperation with UN mechanisms. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Niger. We have heard the last speaker on my list. The Committee has thus concluded its general discussion of agenda item 70. I now invite the Committee to begin its consideration of agenda item 68, entitled "Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance", and its sub-items A and B, jointly with agenda item 69, entitled "Right of peoples to self-determination". The documentation under agenda item 68 and its sub-items and 69 is listed on iGov. I now invite the committee to begin its general discussion of agenda item 68 and its sub-items jointly with agenda item 69. I wish to remind delegations to strictly adhere to the time limits of four minutes for delegations speaking on behalf of a group of states and three minutes for interventions by individual delegations. The microphones will blink 30 seconds before the expiration of the time limit, and the microphones will be automatically switched off when the time is up. I also wish to remind delegations that the list of speakers for this item will close at the end of the meeting or when the list is exhausted, whichever is sooner. South Africa. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of South Africa on behalf of SADC member states.

Madam President, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of Southern African Development Community. The SADC aligned itself with the statement by the Africa Group opposing all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The fight against racial discrimination is etched into the history of the SADC region. Our region carries the collective memory of having overcome the devastating legacy of colonialism and apartheid regime. Therefore, we reiterated that all forms of racism represent a direct affront of human dignity and universal values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. We observed with deep concern the resurgence of hate speech, xenophobia, and contemporary manifestation of racism, often amplified by digital platform and social networks. The digital age, the proliferation of misinformation and hate speech on social media has amplified the stigma and marginalization of vulnerable population. This phenomenon disproportionately affect migrants, refugees, and ethnic and racial minorities, depending on socioeconomic inequalities and threatening social cohesion on global level. The SADC reaffirms the validity of the Daven Declaration and Program of Action adopted in 2001. The DDPA remains the only comprehensive global framework and the indispensable foundation for combating structural and institutional racism. We urge all Member States to renew their political commitment and ensure the full implementation of the DDPA. the reparative justice, equitable access to education, health and employment, and the reform of judicial institutions are concrete steps that state must take to eradicate systematic racism. Combating racism requires concrete national actions, robust legislative frameworks, and ambiguous international cooperation. There can be no tolerance or complacency towards ideologies based on racial superiority or exclusion. Education, awareness raising, and strengthening the flow are fundamental tools for dismantling prejudice and building cultures of peace and mutual acceptance. SADC renews its commitment to working side by side with all member states, the international community and the United Nations system to build inclusive and equitable societies founded on the respect for equality and dignity of all human beings, regardless of their race, ethnicity or origin. I thank you, Madam President.

I thank the representative of South Africa and now give the floor to the distinguished representative of France.

Thank you, Madam Chair. France combats all forms of discrimination with the utmost revolt, whether based on origin, ethnicity, real or imagined. Our response is a universalist approach, rejecting any fragmentation or essentialization. It is with this approach in mind that the French government presented in July last year our new national plan to combat racism, antisemitism, and discrimination based on origin. After a broad consultation, this includes 55 measures, all concrete and measurable. These, in particular, aim to educate as to the fight against racism, to better be able to listen to victims, better punish hate crimes, better prevent discrimination, and better combat hate online. France is also committed to the fight against racism at the European and international levels. France reaffirms the importance of universal ratification and of the effective implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. This document constitutes the universal foundation for a concerted approach to preventing and eradicating racism. Madam Chair, France is taking a clear-eyed look at its past and intends to continue the memorial work begun around slavery and colonization. In 2001, the French Parliament thus adopted a law recognizing the slave trade and slavery as crimes against humanity. And in March 2026, we passed a law on the restitution of cultural property. As the President of the Republic indicated at the rostrum of the United Nations, reparations must be based on shared scientific methods in order to rebuild dialogue about our common histories, our memory, and our cultural relations. France supports the initiative launched by Ghana to establish historical truth in its full depth and complexity on slavery and to keep the memory of victims alive with dignity, lucidity and fidelity. This is the purpose also of the joint work that we have undertaken in recent years with several African and Caribbean countries. France hopes that this work of historical recognition will help set new milestones on a path towards reconciliation and a shared future. I thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the representative of France, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation.

Distinguished Chair, Russia remains devoted to fighting all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. Today, it is more important than ever to ensure full and effective implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination as well as the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, which mark their 25th anniversary this year. The world has not eradicated intolerance, and racism and xenophobia are taking on new, more sophisticated forms. We have observed with deep concern in various parts of the world how neo-Nazism is on the rise and ideologies based upon racial and ethnic prejudice are gaining popularity. Glaring examples of these include neo-Nazi marches and rallies, whitewashing of Third Reich collaborators, dismantling of memorials, aggressive nationalism, including ethnically or linguistically motivated assaults. We're especially concerned by the refusal of the so-called old democracies to fight this scourge under the pretext of defending freedom of speech. This is unacceptable. Significant contribution to eradicating racism, which is discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, has been provided by the GA resolution on fighting the glorification of Nazism, which is put forward every year on Russia's initiative. This year, we once again are presenting it for the consideration of third committee. It's telling that the adoption of this resolution, it is the collective West, especially European Union countries, that regularly oppose international efforts to combat aggressive manifestations of racism and xenophobia. At the same time, the outcomes of votes clearly demonstrate unwavering support from the global majority for this key Russian initiative, which aims at promoting cooperation and dialogue. We call on states to vote for the adoption of this important document and to become a co-sponsor. Madam Chair, destructive attempts to impose the concept of civilizational exceptionalism, manifestations of neocolonial revanchism, and efforts to divide people along national, cultural, religious, and other lines undermine the very essence of the Durban process and its outcome documents. We have always stood at the side of the peoples of Africa in their quest for independence, economic sovereignty, and equal rights. Today, Russia's strategic partnership with the countries of Africa has reached a new level. In Moscow, on October 28th and 29th, we will hold a third Russia-Africa Summit, alongside a major economic and humanitarian forum that aims to strengthen food security and technological sovereignty, as well as ties in the areas of education, healthcare, and culture. We look forward to welcoming our African partners to Moscow. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Russian Federation, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. 25 years following the Declaration and Programme of Action of Durban, this continues to be our compass towards the elimination of racial discrimination and racism. Its contribution is undeniable. Xenophobia and discrimination and police brutality racial and institutionalized discrimination intolerance and supremacist ideologies are increasing especially in highly developed countries this affects those of African descent religious minorities migrants and indigenous peoples the wealthiest nations that benefited from decades of the transatlantic slave trade and others are refusing to undertake their historic duty. The worst crime against humanity, it has now been recognized. Cuba's African roots are an essential part of our identity and this is what our real commitment to being truly free stems from, together with our creativity and our unshakable resistance. As part of the Vienna Programme of Action, all peoples have the right to self-determination, regardless of their political condition, and they have the right to pursue their cultural development, but for many people this will continue to be a dream for many who have been submitted to the yoke of colonialism or occupation. Many of us who have preserved our independence at great sacrifice have seen how there is an attempt to curb this right by the imposition of unilateral coercive measures and suppressive agendas. Today, there is a multidimensional war against Cuba that includes the economic, commercial and financial blockade by the United States, increased with the energy stakeholder and secondary measures, all of this together with military threats against the island. This hostile policy is underpinned by this false idea that there is a security threat. This is also an offence to human intelligence. How can Cuba represent a threat for the greatest economic and military and technological power on the planet? This policy is trying to take the conditions of life on the island of Cuba to the extreme and to exacerbate social tensions in order to then present consequences as a justification for foreign intervention. This logic represents a major interference into our internal affairs and an attack against the sovereignty and rights of our people to self-determination. This is something we have defended, and we will continue to do so at any price.

I thank the representative of Cuba, and I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Namibia, speaking on behalf of the African group. We'll come back. I'll now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Tunisia.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Tunisia affirms its steadfast commitment to combating all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. It is equally committed to promoting the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and respect for human dignity in accordance with the Charter and UN and relevant international law. We stress that addressing these phenomena requires tackling the structural causes, strengthening the justice and institutional frameworks. and ensuring accountability and effective remedies for victims. It also requires advancing human rights education and spreading a culture of equality and respect for diversity. Madam Chair, the legacies of slavery, colonialism, and apartheid continue to shape the reality of many peoples. They continue to persist inequalities and disparities in development opportunities here. We underline the importance of acknowledging historical injustices and addressing their consequences. We support international effort to achieve reparatory justice, including reparation, guarantees of non-recurrence, and the restitution of looted cultural property. Tunisia also stresses the importance of guaranteeing the right to development and equal opportunity, and of addressing the economic and social disparities that entrench discrimination and exclusion. In Tunisia, the Constitution enshrines the principle of equality of all citizens, men and women, before the law without discrimination. The national legislative framework has been strengthened by the adoption of Law No. 50 of 2018 on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination. This law is an important step towards criminalizing racist practices and strengthening the legal protection of victims. At the international level, Tunisia renews its attachment to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action as a comprehensive reference framework for combating racism and racial discrimination. We call for strengthening their implementation, supporting the relevant UN mechanisms, and intensifying international cooperation in this area. In conclusion, Tunisia reaffirms that eliminating racism and racial discrimination requires sustained political will and international commitments translated into concrete measures so as to ensure substantive equality and the enjoyment of human rights without discrimination. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Tunisia, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Namibia on behalf of the African Group.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Group. As a group that has been particularly affected by the scotches of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerances, we stand united against these historical tragedies and contemporary ills. It is unfortunate that in 2026, we find ourselves still needing to combat these challenges. Historical forms of racism manifested themselves in diverse forms, including slavery and apartheid. leaving behind devastating consequences that are still felt today. Respiratory justice, including apologies, guarantees of non-repetition, reparations, the return of the cultural objects and mortal remains, are just some of the necessary actions that are required to bring healing and restitution to these historical tragedies. Contemporary forms of racism require a wide range of interventions, including comprehensive education about the inequality, about equality of all human beings, domestic legislation that ensures those who commit racism are held to account, and approaches that include support for civil society, the private sector, and the media and academia. While each country may have its own policies to combat these ongoing challenges, no one of us end racism alone, requiring a global multilateral effort 25 years ago, and the world united in the development of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. The DDPa is widely lauded as the most contemporary and comprehensive document in relation to elimination of racism, xenophobia and related intolerances. We sincerely appreciate all states that continue to implement this seminal work. The African Group finds it unfortunate that some states have continued to label the DDPA as anti-Semitic or anti-Western. This is factually incorrect, as the DDPA expressly condemns anti-Semitism and aims to create a unity of purpose against these social ills. to combat racism or xenophobia. We invite all Member States to collaborate towards the full implementation of the DDPA. Allow me to end with a quote from Nelson Mandela: "No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more neutrally to the human heart than its opposite. I thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the representative of Namibia, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kuwait.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia are not mere violations of human rights. They are aggressions against human dignity, against the principles of justice, equality, and coexistence. These values were the pillars of the United Nations. Accordingly, my country stresses its categoric rejection of all forms of racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, guided by our firm belief that human dignity is an inherent right for all. It cannot be attacked and cannot be limited for any reason whatsoever. We further stress the importance of fully implementing the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, as well as the DCPA. These instruments are fundamental for global efforts aiming at fighting racism and addressing its root causes, as well as its impact on people and societies. We also note international obligations. During the month of August 2026 in Geneva, we discussed our reports for 25th and 26th reports. before the Commission for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, as we are keen to continue our engagement and our constructive cooperation with the UN human rights mechanisms. We also continue to advance our national efforts in this regard. Madam Chair, to fight racism, we should not merely condemn its forms. We must address the ideas and the practices it involves, most notably hate speech and incitement to violence and discrimination. This is a growing threat to the stability and cohesion in societies. We believe that equality, education, and respecting religious and cultural differences are necessary to face intolerance and to promote coexistence as well as mutual respect, especially for young generations. We also emphasize the importance of national legislations on national unity and on civil coexistence. This is needed to fight racism and hate, and this will allow advancing the rights of all. Chair, to conclude, my country stresses that eliminating racism cannot be achieved through mere words. This requires genuine political will and effective measures that ensure equality and human dignity. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Kuwait, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of South Africa.

Thank you, Madam Chair. My delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of SADC and the African Group. South Africa remains firm in its commitment to combat racism, xenophobia and related intolerances. In some measures, progress has been made, but much more work is still required to tackle these scourges. While we may all have different domestic policies to combat these ills, it remains important that we are guided by international norms and standards in the development and implementation of national policies. On racism, that standard is the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, a framework rooted in the promotion of equality, dignity and justice. Contemporary forms of racism cannot be fully addressed without formulating concrete solutions that address historical forms of racism. Slavery, colonialism, and apartheid have had very real, painful, and long-lasting negative impacts on the vast majority of people in Africa and the global south. These impacts permeated the social, economic, and political spheres. Remedying these scars require a wide range of interventions, including domestic policies, international standards, and actions taken by former colonial authorities. It is important that we address racism, xenophobia and related intolerances within their current context and how these scourges adversely affect local economies, the divide between the global north and the global south, and a wide range of very specific social, economic and political challenges. We unequivocally reaffirm that the DDPA is in no way anti-Semitic. The DDPA and its subsequent political declarations condemn antisemitism as one of the many despised forms of religious intolerance. Any form of religious intolerance is unacceptable. In closing, we extend our sincere appreciation towards the entire United Nations system, and more specifically, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, for all efforts deployed in the promotion and protection of human rights globally. As we mark the 25th anniversary of the DDPA, let us renew our commitment to continue to work together towards the elimination of racism, xenophobia and all forms of related intolerances. Thank you.

I thank the representative of South Africa and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Zimbabwe.

Thank you, Chair. My delegation aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the African Group and SADC. Zimbabwe reaffirms its unwavering commitment to eliminating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and to upholding the right of all peoples to self-determination. 25 years after the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Work, racism continues to deny millions equality, dignity and opportunity. Its persistence reflects a failure to translate commitments into sustained action. We must confront both its historical roots and contemporary manifestations, including racial hatred, amplified through digital platforms. The DDPA remains an essential framework for this task. Its full and effective implementation requires political will, effective national measures, public education, and access to justice and remedies for victims. People of African descent, migrants, and all those facing racial exclusion deserve to live a life free of the indignity caused by discrimination. Addressing the enduring consequences of slavery, the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism is integral to overcoming structural inequalities. Zimbabwe was honored to co-facilitate with Brunei Darussalam the political declaration marking the DDPA's 25th anniversary. We must now translate agreed commitments into tangible improvements in people's lives. Chair, Zimbabwe reaffirms the inalienable rights of peoples to self-determination, calls for accelerated implementation of United Nations resolutions on decolonization, and rejects colonial domination and foreign occupation. We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their pursuit of an independent, sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital, consistent with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. Chair, During its 2027-2028 Security Council term, Zimbabwe will champion dialogue, sovereign equality, and peaceful settlement of disputes, recognizing that peace, development, and human rights are mutually reinforcing. In conclusion, we have a solemn obligation to combat racial injustice, uphold the right of all peoples to determine their future, and advance equality and opportunity for all. Zimbabwe will work with others to support resolutions that further these objectives. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Zimbabwe, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Azerbaijan.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The rights and freedoms proclaimed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights belong to everyone without distinction of any kind, in particular as to race, color, or national origin. The notion of superiority based on racial differentiation should be rejected as scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous. These ideals of the UDHR were further strengthened and given legal effect through the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which tasked the international community with eliminating racial discrimination in all its forms as the ultimate goal. Notwithstanding the various legal and operational mechanisms established within the United Nations, it is deplorable that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance continue to rise globally. In this regard, the spirit of brotherhood enshrined in the UDHR should guide interactions among members of society and, in broader sense, relations among nations. Madam Chair, racial prejudice driven by Intolerance and ideologies of racial superiority poses a serious threat to human lives and undermines confidence building and reconciliation efforts. Such prejudice is frequently perpetuated through educational materials that distort historical facts, disseminate hostile narratives and stereotypes, and portray particular national or ethnic groups as enemies within society, including among children and youth. Madam Chair, the Constitution of Azerbaijan firmly prohibits discrimination and guarantees equal rights and freedoms to all individuals. Beyond these legal guarantees, as a multicultural society, Azerbaijan takes measures to foster understanding and build bridges among different cultures. As part of its international efforts, Azerbaijan is the initiator and host of the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, organized biennially within the framework of the Baku Process, launched in 2008. The seventh World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue will be held this month in Baku with the aim of promoting intercultural dialogue and social inclusion for sustainable peace and development, with the participation of a wide range of stakeholders from all geographic regions, and cultures. To conclude, Azerbaijan remains committed to ensuring the rights and dignity of all individuals within its territory and to contributing to international efforts to eliminate racial discrimination in all its forms and manifestations, with a view to fostering an environment of tolerance, mutual understanding, and inclusiveness. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Azerbaijan, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Brazil.

Madam Chair, the Brazilian delegation appreciates the opportunity to address this committee on the critical issue of racism. Today, we wish to draw attention to environmental racism, which is not merely an environmental concern, but also a matter of human rights and racial justice. Environmental racism is one of the defining human rights and equity challenges of our time. The Belen Declaration on Fighting Environmental Racism, adopted last November during COP30 in Brazil, recognizes that historical discrimination, the legacies of systemic oppression, and unequal participation in decision-making processes have produced profound inequalities in exposure to pollution, climate-related hazards, and biodiversity loss. Climate risks and environmental degradation disproportionately affect people of African descent, indigenous peoples, local communities, women and girls, and other groups in vulnerable situations. These communities often suffer severe impacts on their health, livelihoods, cultures, heritage, and ecosystems, while facing significant barriers to influencing the decisions that affect their lives. The message from Belen is clear. The global ecological crisis is fundamentally tied to racial justice. We call upon all countries to consider endorsing the Belen Declaration, while translating its principles into concrete policies, strengthen international cooperation and effective action. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Brazil, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Jordan.

Madam Chair, we thank the rapporteurs and the members of the task force for their efforts to face racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia and related intolerance, as well as efforts in protecting the rights of people to self-determination. This requires global action, especially with the growing hate speech and intolerance, including hatred against Muslims. We follow with concern the misinformation on social media, particularly the spread of extremist discourse. We stress the importance of international cooperation and accountability in this regard, in line with the international human rights law. We remain committed to fighting all forms of racism and racial discrimination and promoting dialogue and coexistence. Jordan, over years, supported numerous international initiatives to enhance dialogue and coexistence among religions and face extremism and hate speech, because we believe that respecting diversity and human dignity are fundamental for peace and security. The right of people's to self-determination is enshrined in international law and the charter. When we discuss this right, we cannot dismiss the fact that the Palestinian people still does not enjoy it. We stress the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. We call on the international community to take effective measures to uphold this right. The Israeli, the illegal Israeli policies and practices, including settlement, land confiscation, home demolition, and violence, settler violence, continue to undermine prospects of peace. We ask the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibility and compel Israel to respect the ceasefire in Gaza, as well as ensure aid in the Strip, and end illegal unilateral practices in the OPT, as well as end its illegal occupation, and uphold the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to its independent state on its land. This is the only way to achieve lasting and just peace to ensure security and stability in the region. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Jordan, and I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Venezuela.

Madam Chair, we are grateful for your efforts in convening this fundamental discussion on this subject. Venezuela reaffirms that the eradication of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and associated forms of intolerance represents an undeniable priority of the international community. Nationally, our country has converted these principles into public policies through a solid and robust institutional framework and every 10th of May there is the Day of Afro-Venezuelan Identity. We also participated in the Permanent Forum for Afro-descendant Persons. Under this framework, we encourage swift adoption of the UN Convention on the Persons of African Descent and the Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. We reject any kind of systemic racism as well as the worrying growth of Nazism and near fascism, which represents a major rollback for humanity. Madam Chair, in today's world, we must learn the lessons of history together with the lessons of the historic Durban Conference. A fair future must recognize the lasting impacts of slavery, colonialism, and apartheid. This is why we must have greater efforts aimed at ensuring justice and international cooperation that is differentiated to address the asymmetries and realities of the past. At the same time, we warn that the digital era raises new challenges. There is a real risk that digital platforms and artificial intelligence could propagate disinformation, xenophobia and hate speech. This requires urgent international safeguards against algorithmic biases. In the same spirit of inclusion, we firmly condemn Islamophobia, antisemitism and Christianophobia. Madam Chair, Venezuela will conclude by reaffirming its unwavering multilateral vocation, its historic commitment in the fight against racism. We do so in the certainty that mutual recognition and solidarity between peoples will make it possible to achieve the founding idea of the United Nations, achieving social justice and development for all without any form of distinction. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Venezuela, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Namibia.

Thank you, Chair. Namibia aligns itself with the statement of the African Group, and I am delivering this statement in my national capacity. Racial discrimination is prohibited by law in Namibia. Article 23 of the Namibian Constitution prohibits all acts and practices of racial discrimination and apartheid. The Racial Discrimination Prohibition Act further gives effect to Article 23 of the Constitution by rendering criminally punishable all practices of racial discrimination and apartheid. Namibia strongly condemns the racial injustices, xenophobia and racially motivated violence being perpetuated against people of African descent, migrants and indigenous peoples. Namibia further takes note with concern the developments of racial discrimination, perpetuated through the digital space, the reported persistence of organized neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups, but also the increasing diffusion of their underlying narratives into mainstream political discourse. States in which these developments occur have an obligation to stop such activities in accordance with their national legislation and applicable international legal framework, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. To that end, Namibia reiterates its call for reparatory justice for the enduring legacies of enslavement, the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans, colonialism, racism and apartheid, and for the full and effective implementation of the Damben Declaration and Program of Action. We therefore request all member states to support all efforts for its full and effective implementation. Lastly, Chair, the United Nations has a responsibility to advance a just and lasting resolution on the question of the Western Sahara and the people of Palestine, consistent with the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant resolutions on decolonization and self-determination. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Namibia, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Algeria.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The elimination of racism and racial discrimination remains a fundamental responsibility of the international community. All forms of intolerance undermine the inherent dignity and equal rights of all human beings and constitute a direct challenge to the purposes and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Algeria, therefore, reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the universal and effective elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and stresses the importance of addressing their root causes including exclusion, marginalization, foreign occupation, and the denial of fundamental rights. Madam Chair, the principle of equality and non-discrimination is intrinsically linked to the right of people to self-determination. Algeria reminds that the right of people to self-determination is an inalienable and fundamental right firmly enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and in international law. It constitutes one of the essential principles upon which the international order is founded and remains indispensable to the realization of human rights, peace, and sustainable development. In this regard, the Palestinian people have an inherent right to self-determination that guarantees their freedom, dignity, and security. The same principle must guide the international community's approach to the question of Western Sahara. Their right to self-determination must be respected and realized through a genuine, free, and democratic process in accordance with international law and the relevant United Nations framework. This commitment reflects Algeria's long-standing foreign policy and its attachment to the principles of sovereignty, equality among peoples, non-interference, and respect for international law. To conclude, Madam Chair, Algeria calls upon the international community to uphold these principles consistently, to reject all forms of discrimination and domination, and to strengthen international efforts towards the completion of the remaining decolonization processes. We must ensure the principles of the Charter are applied universally, impartially, and without double standards. I thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Iraq reaffirms its firm commitment to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international human rights law, foremost among them equality, non-discrimination, and the right of peoples to self-determination. These are fundamental pillars for safeguarding human dignity and promoting international peace and security. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance in its various forms pose serious challenges to human rights and peaceful coexistence. Iraq stresses the need to intensify international efforts to combat these phenomena and to counter hate speech and incitement to violence. We reject discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, or national or ethnic origin, and call for promoting the values of tolerance and respect for diversity. Madam Chair, Iraq affirms that the right of peoples to self-determination is an inherent and inalienable right. It is a basis for the enjoyment of all other human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly for peoples under foreign occupation, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the resolutions of international legitimacy. Iraq stresses that the continued Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory and the systematic violations of the rights of the Palestinian people that accompany it constitute a flagrant violation of the principles of international law and the Charter of the UN. They undermine international efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace. Iraq firmly rejects all unilateral measures aimed at changing the legal, historical, and demographic status of the occupied Palestinian territory, as well as attempts to impose a fait accompli, and we call upon the international community to shoulder its legal and moral responsibilities. It must ensure respect for international humanitarian law, provide international protection for the Palestinian people, and hold accountable those responsible for violations. It must also work to end the occupation and enable the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable rights, foremost among them their right to self-determination, and to establish their independent state with Al-Quds al-Sharif as its capital. In closing. We affirm that eliminating racism, ending occupation, and respecting the right of peoples to self-determination are a collective responsibility that requires political will and effective international cooperation with a view to building a world in which justice, equality, and human dignity prevail.

I thank the representative of Iraq, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Togo.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Only a decisive action based on three pillars, that is to say peace, security, development, and human rights, can consolidate the work of our common organization in a world marked by various divisions and growing inequalities. Everyone aspires to live and to prosper without discrimination based on the color of their skin or geographic origins. But 25 years after the Durban Declaration, it is incomprehensible that we are still here today expressing the need to eliminate racism and racial discrimination. Madam Chair, the question is, Could we have been mistaken for 25 years? Because for Togo, until we address the root and historic causes of racism, any other solution will be merely a band-aid. That is why we must look back at our common history, especially when it comes to African and Afro-descendant peoples. whose history is marked by slavery and colonialism, the consequences of which are still felt today, the consequences that are systemic, systematic, and institutional. Chair, racism, racial discrimination have been evolving recently. They have taken on insidious forms, hiding on digital platforms and AI algorithms, which amplify them and make them normalized. Our responsibility is not simply to alert or denounce, but to combat these scourges, to eliminate them more decisively. That is why my country, Togo, commenced the adoption in March 2026 of the resolution led by Ghana. But we need to do more. We need to do more by recognizing as a crime against humanity all other historic injustices suffered by the African and Afro-descended peoples. to do much more by remedying all of these injustices in all of their forms. We must do more by taking concrete measures, including during this second International Decade for Afro-descendant Peoples. Madam Chair, Togo, my country, has spearheaded the process leading to the adoption of a resolution on the legacy of the colonial era, which presents cognitive biases and the discrimination suffered by certain parts of the world, especially Africa, which was approved by a vast majority. We are convinced that our organization can do more to eradicate other historic injustices that lead to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and intolerance. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Togo, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Haiti.

Madam Chair, I will be outlining a statement made by G77 and China, as well as CARICOM. 25 years after the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, We are still seeing racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance that continue to undermine human dignity and jeopardize equality. For Haiti, this is an especially important historic fight. We were born from the battle of formerly enslaved men and women who stood up against the alleged hierarchy of race. we have a special responsibility to defend equality, dignity, and the rights of all human beings everywhere. The consequences of slavery and colonialism continue to be felt throughout our societies, and we call on fighting persistent discrimination and guaranteeing that Afro-descendant peoples have equal opportunities and equal access to justice, education, employment, and development. Madam Chair, Haiti also is concerned by xenophobia and stigmatization of people due to their origin, religion, or their nationality. As recalled by the Prime Minister of Haiti before this very Assembly, behind migration statistics are women, children, and men who represent a history, talents, hopes. Haiti reaffirms that protecting borders and respect for human dignity are not mutually incompatible. They must go hand in hand. In this regard, Haiti reaffirms its commitment to the Declaration and Programme of Action of Durban and calls on all of us to translate our commitments into tangible action, because fighting racism is not simply addressing past injustices. It also means ensuring that they do not determine the future of new generations. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Haiti, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Kingdom of the Netherlands remains firmly committed to the global fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. We recognize the importance of continued international cooperation to address these challenges. The fight against racism goes hand in hand with our resolute fight against anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim hatred and all other forms of discrimination. Contemporary racism, xenophobia, and discrimination cannot be viewed in isolation from the injustices of the past, for example, the centuries-long practice of slavery and slave trade, with consequences still felt today. Countries and communities that were once colonized teach us that what happened in the past continues to have an impact today, contributing to deeply rooted patterns of inequality and racism. The consequences are also felt across the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. We are keenly aware of the need to confront the darkest pages of our colonial history. In this context, the Kingdom of the Netherlands looks forward to hosting the fifth UNESCO Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination in The Hague on the 29th and 30th of October. With His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Prime Minister Rob Jetten attending the opening, the forum will bring together international partners to strengthen cooperation against racism and discrimination. Madam Chair, together we need to take a critical look at our past in order to deepen our future collaboration. We sincerely hope this discussion will contribute to continued dialogue and cooperation based on equality and mutual respect. We still have a long way to go. The Kingdom of the Netherlands will continue to work with international partners to combat racism, anti-Semitism, and all other forms of intolerance, hatred, and discrimination. We will continue to listen, to learn from our shared histories, and, importantly, to act to address these issues based on equality and mutual respect. I thank you.

Thank the representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Arab Emirates. Microphone for Spain. Microphone for UAE. It's working now. The UAE microphone is working.

Madam Chair, the UAE reaffirms its firm commitment to addressing racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and its different forms. These phenomena are a violation of human dignity and the principles of equality, and they lead to more divisions and weaken social cohesion and provide a fertile environment for hate speech and extremism and leading to conflicts. Addressing these phenomena requires a comprehensive, proactive approach based on awareness, education, and responsible discourse based on intercultural dialogue, including all leadership in the community, so that communities are resilient and protected against the discourse of extremism and exclusion. Hence, we are promoting an agenda of tolerance and coexistence based on the role of intolerance and hate speech in creating conflict. We look for means to address them, to break the cycle of conflict and to build more cohesive societies based on Security Council resolution 2686, tabled by the UAE and the UK. In this regard, we are working in cooperation with the member states, the UN, and experts to promote the UN's role in addressing forms of intolerance. We work in a concerted manner in this regard. All these considerations need to be included in the work of the UN, including peacekeeping, SPMs, and effort for prevention and peacebuilding. We warn of the increased spread of hate speech. This includes Islamophobia, antisemitism, and other forms of religious hatred. We need to use digital platforms, social media, and technology in a responsible manner to limit the spread of these phenomena and to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence. As for the right of peoples to self-determination, we stress the need for respecting this right as an inherent right and a main principle of the UN Charter and international law. We need to implement it without selectivity. In closing, the UAE has made tolerance, multiculturalism, and other values a main policy, where we have more than 200 nationalities living in the UAE peacefully, we will continue such effort towards human dignity and protecting the rights of people and towards sustainable peace and security. I thank you.

I thank the representative of the United Arab Emirates, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Ecology and human dignity are inseparable from our historical experience. Having endured conflict, exclusion and suffering, we understand that lasting peace requires justice, mutual respect and protections of fundamental rights. Madam Chair, Article 16 of Timor-Leste Constitution guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discriminations on grounds including race, color, gender, ethnic, origin, language, and religions, and political convictions. Our accession to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in 2003 further reinforced these constitutional commitments. Timor-Leste continues to promote inclusion through educations intercultural dialogue, community participation and democratic institutions. Nevertheless, we recognize that legal guarantee alone cannot deliver sustainable equality. Effective implementation, accessible remedies and institutional accountability remain essential. Against this background, Timor-Leste highlights a few priorities for collective action. First, strengthen legal safeguards, institutional accountability, and effective remedies for victims of racial discrimination. Second, invest in inclusive education, human rights awareness, and intercultural dialogue, particularly among young people, to challenge prejudices and foster mutual respect. Third, address socio-economic inequalities that perpetuate exclusion, ensuring equitable access to education, employment, and essential public services. Fourth, strengthen international cooperation against online racial hatred and incitement to violence while safeguarding freedom of expression and fundamental rights. Fifth, expanding technical assistance, capacity building and exchange of good practices, particularly for developing countries implementing international human rights commitments. Madam Chair, as we advance 2030 Agenda and implement the Durban Declarations and Programme of Action, we believe that diversity must be a source of strength rather than divisions. Our collective responsibility is to build inclusive society where equality is realized in practice, justice and accessible to all, and every person can live with dignity, freedom and mutual respect. I thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the representative of Timor-Leste, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Qatar.

Madam Chair. The state of Qatar attaches great importance to consolidating the values of equality, peaceful coexistence, and respect for cultural diversity, which are rooted in Qatari and Islamic culture. The State of Qatar affirms its commitment to the highest international standards in promoting and protecting the human rights of all segments of society. The permanent constitution of the State of Qatar contains the fundamental principles guiding state policy and lays the essential foundations of society. Article 18 provides that, and I quote, "Qatari society shall be based on the values of justice, benevolence, freedom, equality, and high morals," end of quote. And Article 35 provides that, and I quote, "All persons are equal before the law, and there shall be no discrimination whatsoever on the grounds of sex, race, language, or religion," end of quote. The state of Qatar acceded to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in 1976. and has since continued to fulfill its international obligations in this area. The State of Qatar is keen to cooperate with the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Its most recent periodic report was reviewed in 2024. Qatar National Vision 2030 also stresses fostering and supporting dialogue among civilizations and coexistence among different religions and cultures. The National Human Rights Committee plays an important role in protecting human rights, applying the values of social justice and tolerance, and promoting equality and non-discrimination. We also note a leading institution in the State of Qatar, namely the Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue. Madam Chair, the report of the Secretary-General on the right of peoples to self-determination, A/81/315, submitted under this item, reaffirms the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, primarily the right to self-determination and the right to their independent state. With regard to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, the report notes that the deprivation of a people of its essential means of subsistence threatens the fundamental conditions that are indispensable for that people to exercise its right to self-determination. The report also refers to the reaffirmation of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people over their natural resources. The State of Qatar affirms that peace and stability are the cornerstone of comprehensive development. In closing, the State of Qatar renews its commitment to combating all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance, and to promoting the values of tolerance, peaceful coexistence and respect for diversity. I thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the representative of Qatar. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mali.

Madam Chair, very pleased to see you presiding over our work and you can count on our full support. Madam Chair, Mali aligns itself with the statement made on behalf of G77 and China and the African Group. Delegation of Mali reaffirms our commitment to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, which laid the foundations for reparative justice for the African and Afro-descendant peoples. Mali welcomes the celebration just a dozen days ago of the 25th anniversary of those documents. And this anniversary was preceded by two historic adoptions on slavery and correction of world maps, which were spearheaded by Ghana and Togo on behalf of the African group. Despite its implementation, challenges remain. Racism is taking on more troubling forms. Therefore, Mali and other countries of the Central Sahel are involved in a merciless fight against terrorism, violent extremism, and all kinds of trafficking. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, and the Confederation of Sahel States have combined their efforts with regard to defense, development, and diplomacy. Together, we've carried out and made significant strides despite the challenges we face, and that is why we strongly condemn foreign sponsors of terrorist groups that are attacking our people. We also condemn the ideological support as well as financing of terrorism. We will work to protect our sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of our countries. We are determined to promote justice and equality of our citizens, and we strongly oppose all forms of discrimination as laid out in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. To eradicate the vestiges and new forms of racism, it is important to pool our efforts to foster sustainable development in our nations. to ensure equal opportunity for all, including access to high-quality education, to basic social services and to social justice, which are key tools for reducing the digital divide and for improving provision of services and ensuring the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Peace, equality, and liberty remain our ideals, and we remain committed to working together with the international community to build a more just, tolerant, and prosperous world. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Mali, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ethiopia.

Madam Chair, my delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Namibia on behalf of the African Group. Convinced by the principle that all human beings are born free and equal, Ethiopia has joined hands with all like-minded states in the liberation movements for independence of African states from colonial subjugation and apartheid. This was informed by the spirit of Pan-Africanism and the victory of the Battle of Adwa, which sparked the drive to ending colonialism. The Pan-Africanism as a shared common heritage also influenced the formation of the organization of the African Unity in 1963. The 2001 World Conference Against Racism was a historic moment in the struggle for the equality of African peoples and people of African descent. The DDPA offers a holistic vision and proposed practical measures for states. Madam Chair, on the 4th of October 1963, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia stood before the UN General Assembly and appealed to permanently abandon the false philosophy of racism. He urged for a world where the color of skin will be of no more significance than the color of the eyes, and that human rights should be guaranteed to all. Six decades after the plea, the world is still struggling to find its way out of racially biased social, economic, and political structures that impair the progress of all people. The peoples of Africa have endured inhuman treatment, beginning from the transatlantic slave trade to colonization and all their misgivings. These atrocious forms of racism were not only cruel and inhuman for their times, but they are the root cause for the sufferings of millions in today's modern world, all the same. In this regard, my delegation recalls the recently adopted resolution on the trafficking of enslaved Africans. tabled by Ghana on behalf of the African group. Likewise, we underscore the quest for reparations as part of building a better world for all. This begins from coming to terms with and acknowledging the injustices that destroyed the sociopolitical and economic fabrics. In conclusion, we are of the view that the collective credibility in addressing racism and racial discrimination is linked to our political will to confront such acts. I thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank the representative of Ethiopia, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Holy See.

Madam Chair, at the heart of the church's teaching lies a conviction that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God, and therefore possesses equal and inviolable dignity. Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance constitute a direct affront to that dignity and to the unity of the human family. In this regard, Pope Leo XIV urges that equality must be upheld without distinction based on race, color, class, or profession. The dignity of the human person, bestowed by God, is fundamental to the construction of a true international community in which the universal common good can be achieved. Materialist and nationalist ideologies that contradict these values prevent the unity of the human family from becoming a lived reality. Sadly, in contemporary society, the evil of racism persists in various forms and at different levels despite apparent progress. As noted by the Secretary-General in his 2025 report, the pace and scope of change remain uneven and insufficient. On the one hand, racism continues to exist as discrimination based on the wrongful belief that one person reduced to a mere characteristic is superior to another. Madam Chair, in this regard, my delegation wishes to draw particular attention to some areas of concern. First, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers continue to face racism, xenophobia and the stigma of discrimination. as Pope Pius XIV affirms that those who seek safety and a better life cannot and must not find the coldness of indifference or the stigma of discrimination. Second, new forms of exclusion and prejudice have emerged in the digital sphere. Online platforms can amplify hatred and polarization. In the digital age, social justice requires that data and technology are used to promote the dignity of the person and the common good. Third, religious intolerance, whether it is anti-Semitism, Christianophobia, or Islamophobia, or other forms of hostility based on anti-religious bias, must be firmly rejected. Against this backdrop, there is a need to strengthen efforts to cultivate and promote respect for the inalienable dignity of every human person and to foster a culture of encounter and openness to others in mutual respect. I thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the representative of the Holy See, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Lebanon.

Madam Chair, there is a particular cruelty in seeing home within reach and being deprived of your right to return. For many, the denial of a right takes the form of a home they can see from a distance, but cannot return to. Madam Chair, the Charter of the United Nations affirms the right of peoples to determine their political status and pursue their own development. Underlying these provisions is a fundamental conviction. that peoples must be free to shape their societies and determine their own future. Occupation, displacement, and destruction do not extinguish a people's right to self-determination, however severely they impede its exercise. A people cannot freely determine its future when no part of its territory is beyond the reach of attack. In my region and in my country, we know this all too well. The consequences reach into every aspect of daily life: people forcibly displaced, homes destroyed, land burned. Illegal occupation is too often justified by invoking security concerns as though they were sacrosanct. Displacement gives way to dispossession. Evacuation becomes a pretext for the permanent occupation of another state's territory. And inflammatory statements reveal ambitions to make that occupation permanent, to redraw borders in the name of self-defense. A forced displacement must not and will not become permanent dispossession. Evacuation must not and will not serve as a pretext for the forcible transfer of civilians or the permanent occupation of territory. Borders will not be redrawn by expansionist declaration, nor will they be redrawn by force. For these reasons, we demand respect for the UN Charter, implementation of the relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, and compliance with decisions of the International Court of Justice. This is all the more urgent when the right to self-determination, a preemptory norm of international law, remains under constant threat. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Lebanon, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ghana.

Madam Chair, Ghana aligns itself with the statements of the African group. We now speak in our national capacity. Ghana attaches serious importance to the issue of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. 25 years ago, the international community adopted a comprehensive framework to confront this phenomenon. The Durban Declaration affirmed our shared responsibility to address historical injustices and dismantle the structures that perpetuate inequality. Today, our world is witnessing worrying trends as racial discrimination, racism, xenophobia, and related intolerance continue to manifest themselves in various forms. Ghana condemns all forms of racism and acts of racial discrimination and applauds the ongoing work of the Committee on the Eradication of Racial Discrimination, the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent and the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples to eradicate racism and uphold the principles of equality and non-discrimination. President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana spoke the timeless truth when he stated in his address to the General Assembly that no race is superior and no nation is inferior. Madam Chair, Ghana affirms that historical injustices, including the slave trade, apartheid, are major sources of racism and manifestations of racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. It is in this spirit that Ghana views the adoption of the recent landmark General Assembly Resolution 8250 on slavery as positive demonstration of the will of the international community towards addressing the consequences of historical injustice. This demonstrates the will of the international community to address the enduring consequences resulting from the slave trade and related historical injustices and biases. Ghana calls on all member states to implement the objectives of the resolution in advancing educational initiatives and programs, memorialization, and changes to laws and services to address racism and systematic and systemic discrimination. Madam Chair, let our diversity be the convergent point which brings us together and not a form of superiority of one race over the other. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Ghana. We have heard the last speaker on my list. The Committee has thus concluded its general discussion of agenda items 68 and 69. I now invite the Committee to begin its consideration of agenda item 59, entitled: Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, questions relating to refugees, returnees and displaced persons, and humanitarian questions. The documentation under agenda item 59 is listed on iGov. I wish to remind delegations to strictly adhere to the time limits of four minutes for delegations speaking on behalf of a group of states and three minutes for interventions by individual delegations. The microphones will blink 30 seconds before the expiration of the time limit, and the microphones will be automatically switched off when the time is up. I also wish to remind delegations that the list of speakers for this item will close at the end of the meeting or when the list is exhausted, whichever is sooner. I encourage delegations to actively monitor the live list to ensure that they are ready to speak at their allotted time slot. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of France.

Madam Chair, in 2025, nearly 117 million people were driven into exile, compared to 65 million in 2015. This near doubling in 10 years reflects a world marked by growing conflict, food insecurity, and violations of international law. Against this backdrop, UNHCR's universal mandate is more critical than ever. As the guardian of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, which marks its 75 years this year, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees remains the central pillar of the protection of the rights of internally displaced persons, IDPs, and stateless persons around the world. UNHCR's humanitarian response to forced displacement is only possible thanks to the political and financial support of donor states. Today, more than 70% of refugees are hosted by low to middle income countries. Supporting these host states represents a moral imperative as well as being a contributor to our collective stability. In a context of acute budgetary constraints, value for money and modernization of the agency's governance, This is essential to maintain the effectiveness of assistance on the ground. However, the humanitarian response can no longer remain limited to managing emergencies alone. This is why France welcomes and supports the strategic vision of High Commissioner Baham Sally who wishes to develop sustainable solutions for refugees and displaced persons in order to break the cycle of dependence long term. In this regard, France wishes to welcome two flagship UNHCR initiatives that deserve increased international mobilization behind them. The 50 by 35 vision, which aims to halve the number of refugees dependent on humanitarian assistance by 2035 in order to foster the socio-economic empowerment of displaced persons and inclusion in their national systems. Secondly, the Aiming Higher initiative. Its objective is to improve refugees' access to higher education, which is the most likely thing to offer them prospects and real autonomy. And finally, when political conditions allow, such as the dynamics observed recently in Syria, returns must be accompanied so that they can take place in dignity, in safety, and on a strictly voluntary basis. Madam Chair, France reaffirms its unwavering support for the UNHCR and its staff. especially following the mass departure plan since 2025 in its mandate. The global response to forced displacement requires universal adherence to international legal instruments and a united political will to address the root causes of exile. I thank you.

I thank the representative of France, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation, followed by Lebanon.

Madame Chair. Russia reaffirms its unchanged support for the work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, whose services are increasingly important in the context of a deteriorating humanitarian situation throughout the world and the growing number of challenges facing the international community. We believe the effective functioning of the asylum system depends on all states complying with their international, legal, and humanitarian obligations in this area. In this regard, We must note the concerns expressed by the High Commissioner in his report to the UN General Assembly regarding the deviation from the fundamental principle of non-refoulement enshrined in the 1951 Convention, the use of mechanisms that don't meet international standards, including transfer and expulsion, the practice of intercepting vessels at sea to restrict access to the territory of states or to asylum granting procedures. And one consequence of policies aimed at extremely strict measures to curb migration has been the growing number of migrant deaths along the route from Africa to Europe across the Mediterranean Sea, as has been repeatedly documented by international bodies. We believe that such measures have a negative effect on the situation of refugees and asylum seekers and deserve the close attention of the entire international community. Madam Chair. In accordance with our international obligations and national legislation, Russia provides reliable protection on its territory to foreign nationals and stateless persons. regardless of their country of origin, religious beliefs, nationality, and race, including persons that were displaced from Ukraine. Provision of humanitarian support to certain categories of foreign nationals in accordance with universally recognized norms of international law is identified as one of the goals of the concept for state migration policy of the Russian Federation for 2030 as approved by the President of Russian Federation. Currently, In our country, nationals of 87 countries residing in Russia have refugee status or have been granted temporary asylum. We are making every effort to host and accommodate these individuals and provide them with comprehensive assistance, including for healthcare, employment, and social support. The UNHCR office in Moscow has repeatedly seen for itself how effective our country's efforts are to facilitate the resettlement of forcibly displaced persons and uphold their rights. In closing, Madam Chair, the Russian Federation will continue to cooperate with the UNHCR and provide the office with all possible support. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the Russian Federation, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Lebanon, followed by Indonesia.

Madam Chair, to be forcibly displaced is to leave home without knowing when or whether you will see it again. Across southern Lebanon, Beirut's southern suburbs, and the Ba'a, Israeli mass evacuation orders have forced entire communities to flee, leaving them in urgent need of shelter and support. Overall, more than 1 million people have faced displacement. By late March 2026, around one-fifth of our population had been displaced. And as of September, over 300,000 remain internally displaced across the country. Responding to these needs has been a priority for our government. The Ministry of Social Affairs has led the emergency response by coordinating assistance and providing public collective shelters. It has also continued to support essential services, including healthcare and water systems. Madam Chair, these efforts unfold in a country hosting Palestinian refugees and a large Syrian displaced population. Many already live with poverty, insecurity, and strained access to essential services. Some have now been uprooted once again. Their needs remain part of our response, alongside those of their hosts. Meeting these overlapping needs requires sustained international solidarity. Equitable burden and responsibility sharing is central. Host countries cannot be expected to bear the full weight of the response alone. Sustained assistance to UNRWA, UNHCR and humanitarian partners pending a permanent political settlement therefore remains vital. Alongside this assistance, we must work towards lasting solutions. We call on the international community to sustain its efforts to create conditions conducive to the safe and dignified return of displaced Syrians to their homes. Madam Chair, no one should have to live indefinitely suspended between the home they lost and the life they cannot yet rebuild. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Lebanon, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia, followed by Cuba.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Indonesia reaffirms its support for the UNHCR's mandate in protecting the forcibly displaced and upholding their dignity. We are concerned that displacement continues to grow more protracted while humanitarian funding and resettlement opportunities continue to shrink. As a transit country, including for the Rohingya refugees, Indonesia has consistently attended to the needs of those arriving at our shores. We provide safe disembarkation, lifesaving assistance, access to public education, and community-based accommodation as an alternative to detention. Yet we have also seen how suffering of refugees is frequently worsened by transnational criminal exploitations. In this regard, Indonesia wishes to highlight three short reflections. First, addressing root causes. In our own region, Indonesia continues to work with ASEAN member states to foster dialogue and ensure humanitarian access to find peaceful and durable solutions. Second, combating transnational organized crime. As co-chair of the Bali Process, Indonesia will continue firm actions against smuggling and trafficking syndicates while strengthening regional and multilateral cooperation. And third, genuine burden sharing, not burden shifting. Countries of transit cannot carry this responsibility alone. Resettlement countries must expand opportunities and provide more predictable support. We also share the concern over arrangements that shift asylum responsibilities to third countries. Such measures risk prioritizing deterrence over protection and undermining the very humanitarian principles we seek to uphold. Madam Chair, Indonesia remains committed to the Global Compact on Refugees and will continue to contribute constructively towards the 2027 Global Refugee Forum in the spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Indonesia. And I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba, followed by Azerbaijan.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Cuba recognizes the important work carried out by the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees and their role in the protection of refugees, asylum seekers, displaced persons and stateless persons together with the quest for lasting solutions for those forced to leave their homes is vital. This work becomes particularly relevant in light of the growing complexity of contemporary forced translations. According to a 2025 report on global trends, 117 million people have been forced to flee around the world. and millions are still displaced in their own countries. For Cuba, it is essential for the international response to preserve the impartial, non-politicized response to humanitarian support in accordance with international law. We believe it's necessary to address the root causes that lead to forced displacement. Amongst these, armed conflict, violence, poverty, inequalities, instability, and the consequences of certain policies that deepen vulnerability, maybe economic or social. Cuba is historically a host country providing protection and opportunities to people who have been displaced because of conflict. We have done so without a great deal of resources, but based on a profound humanitarian vocation. We have provided free medical services and assistance and professional services to those who are on our territory. We have also provided government grants to more than 15,000 people in our country. We will continue to deploy those efforts, despite the awful impact of the criminal blockade of the United States against our country that has been increased to extreme levels with the energy stranglehold and secondary measures. Madam Chair, we continue to reaffirm that my country gives particular importance to the mandate of the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, providing support for hundreds of thousands of refugees, displaced persons, and others. We highlight the importance of clearly distinguishing categories and working to distinguish between refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. For the last 30 years of cooperation with HCR, we've been contributed to the settlement of thousands of refugees, which has had a positive impact socially and personally. We reiterate our readiness to continue working with the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Cuba, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Azerbaijan, to be followed by Venezuela.

Madam Chair, Azerbaijan thanks the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the report submitted to this session under agenda item 59, highlighting the current challenges relating to the situation of forcibly displaced persons worldwide. Forcible displacement, primarily driven by conflict and violence, as well as by disasters, is a shared responsibility that places a heavy burden on displaced persons while also affecting host communities. Such displacement renders people vulnerable to human rights violations by disrupting essential aspects of their lives. Therefore, a collective commitment is imperative to address displacement, particularly through the pursuit of durable solutions. Madam Chair, Azerbaijan has first-hand experience with forcible displacement, having hosted one of the largest per capita populations of refugees and internally displaced persons in the world as a consequence of the former conflict. Post-conflict recovery measures have already enabled 96,000 persons to return and settle in the territories liberated from occupation. Regrettably, the extensive presence of landmines and other explosive remnants of war in conflict-affected territories continues to hinder return efforts. General Assembly resolution 80/211 of 18 December 2025 entitled Protection of and Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons, expresses deep concern at the threat posed by landmines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices to internal displaced persons, which impedes their voluntary return, local integration, and resettlement, and notes the urgency of providing protection from landmines and other explosive remnants of war. Madam Chair, Azerbaijan remains committed to the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees and other relevant international frameworks. The government is taking practical measures to support refugees by providing social and healthcare services, ensuring their access to the labor market, and offering preferential opportunities in education. In conclusion, Azerbaijan reiterates its readiness to contribute to international cooperation and to fulfill its obligations to create better conditions for the enjoyment of human rights by all persons residing within its territory. Thank you.

Thank the representative of Azerbaijan and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Venezuela, followed by Burkina.

Faso.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Venezuela welcomes the convening of this important meeting. We reiterate our firmest support and the full readiness to strengthen cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees for those people who most need international protection and solidarity. The situation of those asking for international protection continues to represent one of the greatest humanitarian challenges of our time. This is a reality that requires a comprehensive approach that is based on cooperation, shared responsibility and the recognition of the structural causes that lead to forced displacement. According to the Global Trends Report of the UNHCR, at the end of 2025, there were 116.8 million people in a situation of forced displacement, including 41.6 million refugees and 68.7 IDPs. It is particularly significant that two-thirds of these individuals have been received by middle to low-income countries. This highlights the need for greater international solidarity and more equitable support for receiving countries in this context. We wish to express our appreciation to the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations, and especially to the HCR, for their support following the earthquakes that affected our country. We especially value the leadership in the Thematic Group on Protection, the co-leadership on in the group on housing and temporary infrastructure. We also are grateful for the fact that even in the middle of the budgetary cuts affecting global humanitarian cooperation, resources continue to be aimed at supporting our national efforts. Venezuela maintains a longstanding tradition as a host country over the course of its history. Our country has opened its doors to those who have needed protection and opportunities to rebuild their lives. Today, through our grand vision, returning to the homeland, we promote sustainable, dignified, and voluntary return of our fellow nationals, supporting their economic, social, and family reintegration. We should also continue to be alert against xenophobia, discrimination and racism and the trafficking of persons. These are issues that affect the effective protection of those in situations of vulnerability. We reiterate what was said by Delcy Rodriguez. At this new stage of hope, rebirth, and cooperation, we are continuing to work with determination in order to recover our country and to ensure the voluntary return of our fellow nationals and to ensure they can return to a productive social life in the country. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Venezuela. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Burkina Faso, followed by Jordan.

Madam.

Chair, Burkina Faso now hosts more than 45,000 refugees and asylum seekers, in addition to our own internally displaced populations. Despite the security, economic and humanitarian challenges that we face, the government remains firmly committed to ensuring their protection in accordance with its international obligations. This commitment is reflected in particular through the strengthening legal institutional frameworks, through the improvement of access to documents and essential services, and also through efforts aimed at promoting the inclusion and empowerment of refugees. My delegation welcomes the abiding and constructive support of the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees in Burkina Faso. This partnership is based on trust. It's based on respect for each party's responsibilities and a search for solutions that are adapted to national realities that contributes to the strengthening of national capacities and one that provides concrete support for our country's efforts in the implementation of its commitments in the area of protection. Madam Chair, my country remains convinced that protection cannot be limited to humanitarian assistance alone. It must be part of a continuum that runs from protection through to inclusion to durable and lasting solutions. In this regard, Burkina Faso is working to promote refugees access to national systems, essential services, to finding livelihoods and economic opportunities while ensuring that the legitimate needs of the host communities are met. Our ambition is to make refugees not just beneficiaries of assistance, but rather actors in their own rights, in their own empowerment and the development of their host community. The search for lasting solutions also means that we must tackle the root causes of forced displacement. In our region, terrorism and insecurity continue to be the major factors driving this displacement. It is on this basis that we say that there cannot be any sustainable protection without security, stability and development. And Burkina Faso attached particular importance to voluntary, safe and dignified return, as well as reintegration organized in accordance with a legal framework. Lasting solutions must be prepared upstream of return and they require the restoration of essential services, restoration of livelihoods, strengthening community resilience and also social cohesion. Madam Chair, Burkina Faso reaffirms its commitment to the 1951 Convention, to the African protection instruments, and to the Global Compact on Refugees. We call for international cooperation that is founded on respect for sovereignty, shared responsibility, and solidarity that is commensurate with the challenges that we collectively face. I thank you.

Thank the representative of Burkina Faso. And I now give the floor to the representative of Jordan, followed by Ukraine.

Madame Chair, we thank the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for his report. We value the role played by the office in protecting refugees and responding to their needs at a time of mounting humanitarian challenges and shrinking financial resources. For years, Jordan has continued to fulfill its humanitarian role in hosting refugees and providing them with protection and basic services. It has done so despite the heavy strain on its resources, its vital sectors, and host communities. Jordan hosts the largest number of refugees in the world relative to its population. Jordan affirms that ensuring a decent life for refugees is a shared responsibility of host and donor countries. Burden and responsibility sharing must translate into adequate and sustainable support for refugees and for host countries and communities, enabling them to continue providing services to refugees and to their own citizens alike. Mr. Chair, with regard to Syrian refugees, Jordan stresses the importance of continued cooperation among donor and host countries and relevant United Nations organizations in supporting them and their host communities until the conditions for their voluntary return to their homeland are in place. We also stress the importance of investing in creating the conditions for the voluntary return of Syrian refugees by supporting Syria, its stability, and its reconstruction process, thereby helping to put in place the foundations for return and stability. We call on the international community to continue supporting the Office and host countries and communities and to translate the principles of burden and responsibility sharing into a genuine and sustainable international commitment. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Jordan, and I now give the floor to the representative of Ukraine, followed by Brazil.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Ukraine reaffirms its commitment to the Refugee Convention and the UN Guiding Principles on International Displacement. Russia's full-scale invasion has triggered Europe's largest displacement crisis since the Second World War. As of April 2026, approximately 5.76 million Ukrainian refugees remained abroad, while another 3.7 million people were internally displaced. That is nearly 9 million people. Behind every figure is a destroyed home, a separated family, and interrupted childhood. For Ukraine, displacement did not begin in 2022. Since Russia's aggression began in 2014, we have been progressively developing our national response, moving from emergency registration and assistance towards dedicated institutions, comprehensive integration strategies, housing programs, and greater participation of displacement communities in decision making. In June 2026, the government adopted a new strategy on internally displacement people until 2030, establishing a pathway from emergency assistance to sustainable integration or voluntary return. IDP registration and housing assistance are now available online. Our e-recovery program provides compensation for damage and destroyed housing. A law signed earlier this month for six months opportunities to provide rental housing for internally displaced persons. Local IDP councils ensure that displaced communities have a voice in decisions affecting their lives. We are moving from emergency relief toward lasting solutions-- housing, employment, education, economic independence, and full participation in community life. Yet the scale and complexity of these challenges remain immense. require housing, livelihoods, essential services, and psychological support. Host communities face mounting pressures, while continued Russian attacks cause further displacement and obstruct safe return. We deeply appreciate the work of UNHCR, IOM, OCHA, UNICEF, and other UN partners in providing protection, shelter, cash assistance, and community support. Their continued engagement is indispensable. Ukrainians abroad also remain an integral part of our nation. Ukrainian children can continue studying under the national curriculum remotely, while our emerging network of unity hubs in European cities helps maintaining connections and provides information on opportunities for return. We call on Member States to sustain support for displaced persons and host communities, preserve access to education and employment, and support solutions grounded in safety, dignity, and voluntary choice. This plan must not become a life sentence. Every Ukrainian deserves the opportunity to rebuild their life and, when conditions allow, return safely home. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Ukraine. I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil, to be followed by Haiti.

Thank you, Madam Chair. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. Just last month, Brazil proudly co-sponsored an event celebrating this milestone, and President Lula signed the High Commissioner's initiative, The Promise. Yet this anniversary coincides with a time of significant challenges, as increasingly restrictive asylum and migration policies risk undermining the protection framework that the international community has worked so hard to build. We recognize that states face many challenges in ensuring the effective functioning of their asylum systems. However, this must not become a justification for weakening international protection obligations or shifting responsibilities to countries with even more limited capacities and resources. Upholding core principles such as non-refoulement, the right to seek asylum, and the advancement of durable solutions is essential to preserving the legitimacy of this conventional regime. We reiterate our concern regarding practices that unduly restrict access to international protection, including through the externalization of protection responsibilities. At the same time, durable solutions are not to be limited to voluntary return. Local integration, which includes access to public services, is of utmost importance, as are resettlement and complementary pathways, which are becoming increasingly restricted in domestic legislations and practices. Madam Chair, while we fully recognize the severe funding shortfalls that have constrained UNHCR operations worldwide, Brazil is deeply concerned about the 32% reduction proposed for the UNHCR budget to the Americas. That amounts to the largest percentage reduction among all regions, despite a projected 4% increase in the number of forcibly displaced and stateless people in the region. The challenges facing asylum systems today call for renewed cooperation and solidarity. They should not lead us to question the principles of the 1951 Convention, but rather to strengthen our commitment to their full and effective implementation. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Brazil. I now give the floor to the representative of Haiti, followed by India.

Madame.

Chair, my delegation welcomes the report of the High Commissioner, which highlights a troubling global situation. Millions of people are fleeing wars and internal armed conflicts. The humanitarian response must be commensurate to the suffering as underscored by our prime minister before the General Assembly the protection of borders and respect for human dignity are not mutually incompatible the fate of migrants calls upon us to carry out our Collective responsibilities and provide lasting Solutions Madam chair our countries are currently facing a major humanitarian challenge criminal violence by armed gangs has led to the displacement of almost 1.5 million people. The return of repatriated persons, on one hand, is exerting growing operational pressure on the government of my country and is exacerbating an already fragile economic social situation. We often are forced to respond in an urgent manner to meet the needs of these vulnerable people. Madam Chair, the Haitian government is providing assistance to the affected populations with major public financing. 10,226 internally displaced households with 14-- lodged in 14 different makeshift camps are currently being resettled and provided financial assistance through the National Migration Office. care for persons returning from other countries is also being provided to ensure their dignity, security, and that their immediate needs are met with the goal of a safe reintegration into society. Madam Chair, the Haitian government here would like to commend and thank our international partners, especially the support of the UN system and other partner states. We continue to strengthen the bodies charged with providing humanitarian responses, and we call for more international support. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Haiti, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of India.

Madam Chair, India has a long and proud history of welcoming refugees, driven by our civilizational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world as one family. From Christians and Jews fleeing persecution in the ancient times to Polish refugees during World War II, and more recently refugees from a near and far neighborhood fleeing conflict, India has offered shelter to them despite our own developmental and security-related challenges. Our approach has always balanced compassion and empathy placed within the framework of our national laws, keeping in mind national security considerations. We have offered refugees the opportunity to rebuild their lives and livelihoods while practicing voluntary repatriation and resettlement based on mutual agreement with the concerned member state. India's natural acceptance of diversity and respect for different cultures have allowed these communities to preserve their heritage and culture. India's commitment to refugee protection emanates from the protections enshrined in our constitution, which guarantees to all persons, not merely citizens, fundamental rights, including right to life, personal liberty, equality before law, and equal protection of laws. We have consistently upheld protection and non-refoulement, ensuring access to basic services, education, and livelihood opportunities. In this context, my delegation would like to draw the attention of the House to an evolving reality. We are seeing increasing attempts to merge legal frameworks of migration with that of refugees. When terms such as mixed movements obscure the distinction between irregular migration in search of better economic prospects with that of refugees fleeing political persecution or conflict, it not only undermines the carefully structured international legal architecture on refugees and erodes the refugee protection standards, it also creates a negative perception about the legal and regular migration. This intentional conflation is also a fundamental reason for the global backlash against refugees, who are truly in need of protection and our generous assistance. UNHCR and IOM should do all they can to keep this vital distinction between refugees and migrants clear. Where irregular migration is against national laws, one must not conflate it with refugees fleeing political persecution, nor seek to justify it misusing international law framework related to refugees. This does disservice to both groups. Chair, the refugee issue is global in nature and one that calls for countries to work together. As a key international development partner for the global south, India has made sustained efforts towards long-term durable solutions, especially in building and strengthening the capacities of affected member states. Our humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations are a testament to this. At the same time, we reiterate that this endeavor must be consistent with welfare objectives and national security in line with national priorities of the country in question. Chair, we stand ready to work with the international community to address the global refugee crisis, guided by our own principles of compassion and responsibility. Thank you.

I thank the representative of India. We have heard the last speaker on my list for this meeting. The committee will reconvene on Monday promptly at 10:00 a.m. to hear the introductory statements and hold the joint interactive discussion under agenda item 66, entitled Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Children, and its sub-items A and B. The general discussion on agenda item 59 will resume on the afternoon of Monday, 12 October. I would like to remind delegations that the Committee will hold an informal youth event on the theme, The Future of Multilateralism: Building Solutions for an Inclusive Future tomorrow, 9th October, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in this conference room. I encourage all delegations, especially youth delegates, to participate in the event. Information on the work of the committee, including the schedule of meetings and documentation, is available on iGov. The meeting is adjourned.