Statement by India made on Agenda item 6 (Part IV – Follow-up and review arrangements) during the fourth round of formal consultations on the Global compact on Refugees - Delivered by Dr. Sadre Alam, First Secretary

(Geneva, Switzerland, 8-10 May 2018)

Agenda item 6 (Part IV – Follow-up and review arrangements)

Thank you Madam Chair.

2. This is in continuation of our earlier intervention. On Agenda item 6 we wish to state the following:

1. A genuine follow-up and review process of the Global Compact on Refugees would be central to turning the collective commitments into actions. A critical pre-requisite would be significant financial and programme support to host countries affected by large movements of refugees and protracted situations for an effective implementation of the Compact, a fact acknowledged in the New York Declaration.
2. The follow up and review process of the Compact should, generally speaking, aim at sharing of experiences, best practices, identifying the challenges faced in its implementation and addressing them in the true spirit of international cooperation and solidarity.
3. In keeping with the mandate provided by the New York Declaration, the development of any set of indicators for follow-up and review of the Compact, mentioned in Para 107, must be through a Member-State led and driven process, supported by UNHCR, and which is inclusive, participative and transparent.
4. As stated previously, we seek more detailed information on the proposed Global Refugee Forum, mentioned again in paras 108 and 109 in the context of follow-up and review, in terms of its specific mandate, working modalities, funding and its relation with other extant mechanisms among others. We also request more information on the related technical-level discussions and subsequent formal discussions among States mentioned in Para 48. 
5. We wish to reiterate that all follow-up and review must be fully cognizant of the existing refugee burden and capacities of countries as well as their rights and obligations under international refugee law. And, it must be voluntary in keeping with the legally non-binding nature of the Compact itself.

3. Lastly, we look forward to our continued constructive engagement with all stakeholders for realisation of our shared agenda as reflected in the concluding para of the Compact, with UNHCR playing a catalytic and supportive role.

Thank you.

10 May 2018