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October 17, 2004 

Global consultations for protecting refugees

After the international community overwhelmingly reaffirmed its commitment to the 1951 Refugee Convention at a ministerial-level gathering in December 2001, UNHCR's Global Consultations process drew to a close with focusing on durable solutions and the protection of refugee women and children.

The unprecedented gathering of 156 countries in Geneva, which High Commissioner Ruud Lubbers described as the "most important meeting on refugees" in a half century, had reaffirmed the "relevance and resilience" and "enduring importance" of the 1951 treaty in a landmark Declaration of States Parties. Signatory States pledged their "commitment to implement our obligations … fully and effectively".

Following the final Global Consultations meeting, UNHCR completed an Agenda for Protection deriving from the entire Global Consultations process. The Agenda is the first comprehensive framework for global refugee policy in five decades, combining clear goals and objectives with suggested activities to strengthen refugee protection. The Agenda for Protection was the subject of lively debate by UNHCR's Standing Committee at a meeting, which agreed to refer it to the 53rd session of UNHCR's Executive Committee for endorsement. Many delegations stressed that, while not a legally binding text, the Agenda for Protection provides an excellent basis for future cooperation among States, UNHCR, UN and other intergovernmental organisations, and non-governmental organisations - all of whom have participated actively throughout the Global Consultations process.

The Agenda for Protection has six main goals: strengthened implementation of the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol; protecting refugees within broader migration movements; sharing of burdens and responsibilities more equitably and building of capacities to receive and protect refugees; addressing security-related concerns more effectively; redoubling the search for durable solutions; and meeting the protection needs of refugee women and children.

Source: UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency.