UNHCR reaffirms support to Ethiopia to achieve its pledges

Addis Ababa, November 15, 2023 (FBC) – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will help Ethiopia in galvanizing support to achieve its pledges, Deputy High Commissioner, Ms. Kelly T. Clements, reaffirmed on Tuesday.

The Deputy High Commissioner reiterated the UN Refugee Agency’s continued support to Ethiopia during her discussion with Tsegab Kebebew, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the UN Office in Geneva and other International organizations in Switzerland

During the meeting, Amb. Tsegab briefed the Deputy High Commissioner about Ethiopia’s preparation for the Global Refugee Forum (GRF2023). He highlighted Ethiopia’s pledges and commitments to be made at the Forum.

Amb. Tsegab emphasized the importance of securing multiyear partnership and pledge-matching with donors to achieve the pledges. He also underlined the significant progress Ethiopia has made in achieving the pledges made during the 2019 Global Refugee Forum.

For her part, Deputy High Commissioner Ms. Kelly T. Clements highlighted about her recent visit to Ethiopia and appreciated Ethiopia’s generosity in hosting refugees and its leadership role since GRF 2019.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) will help Ethiopia in galvanizing support to achieve its pledges.

It is to be recalled that Ethiopia has officially endorsed six policy pledges and commitments last month for the upcoming 2nd Global Refugee Forum (GRF) to be held in Geneva, Switzerland in December 2023. The pledges include, addressing the adverse impacts of climate change; transforming selected refugee camps into urban settlements; integrating refugees into existing national systems; creating enabling environments for more investment in refugee hosting regions; providing access to land and irrigation schemes; and enhancing digital connectivity to boost government’s capacity to provide registration and civil documentation, among others.