Statement by India made during the 2nd round of UNHCR formal consultations on the Global compact on refugees (Agenda item 3) - Delivered by Dr. Sadre Alam, First Secretary
(Geneva, Switzerland, 21 March 2018)
Thank you Mr. Chair.
This is in continuation of our earlier intervention.
2. A genuine follow-up and review process of the Global Compact on Refugees would be central to turning our collective commitments into actions. For this, significant financial and programme support to host countries and communities affected by large movements of refugees and protracted situations would be critical, a fact acknowledged in the New York Declaration.
3. Bearing this in mind among other things, we wish to state the following:
A. The follow-up and review process to the Global Compact on Refugees should keep in perspective the four overall objectives mentioned in Para 18 of the CRRF and broadly, the SDGs for greater UN system wide coherence.
B. Such a process should include:-
- Follow up of the commitments of Donors to share burden and responsibility and the ‘Grand Bargain’ commitments endorsed by UNHCR;
- Follow up of the support provided to Countries of origin and of their commitment to share responsibility, address the root causes and find durable solutions for voluntary return of refugees in safety and dignity.
4. 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. It should be based on voluntary inputs from States and be thematic in nature.
5. The development of any set of indicators by UNHCR for follow-up and review of the Compact must be through an inclusive process of consultation with Member States and by consensus.
6. 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.
7. In addition, we seek greater clarity on the proposed Global refugee summit in terms of its mandate, processes and working modalities, funding and its relation with other extant mechanisms.
8. Lastly, we look forward to our continued constructive engagement on this issue.
Thank you.
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