High Commissioner, Distinguished Delegates,

UNDP attaches great importance to the Global Compact on Refugees.

Displacement is a complex challenge, which requires concerted efforts to be conducted jointly by humanitarian, development and peacebuilding actors.

In the last few years, UNDP has strengthened our partnership with UNHCR through agreed Global Joint-Action Plan to ensure that development and peace perspectives are integrated in refugee response plans, for instance in situations in and around Syria, Somalia, Nigeria and DRC.   

Using the 2030 Agenda as our framework, UNDP is advancing sustainable development solutions for refugees and host communities in over 40 countries. We help the governments to ensure inclusion of refugees in development planning and build pathways for solutions. Our goal is to put people at the center, national and local authorities in the driving seat, as well as to create an environment that refugees and host communities benefit equitably.

In order to accelerate and scale up the implementation, UNDP commits to co-shape with partners integrated solutions in 40 countries with displacement situations, in the following three areas:

First, we will ensure tailored development, prevention and peacebuilding approaches in addressing root causes of forced displacement in at least 20 countries. This entails more joined-up data and analysis, early-warning and programming supported by better financing that incentivizes much-needed collaboration across the board;

Second, UNDP will strengthen refugee solutions in 20 countries through the UNDP-UNHCR Rule of Law and Local Governance Partnership Framework. We will step up our efforts to strengthen capacities of local governments to prepare and respond to refugee inflows, support Rule of Law institutions, and improve access of refugees and host communities to justice, safety and security and human rights protection systems.

Third, UNDP will promote decent work to drive forward the self-reliance of refugees. As part of the UNDP digital transformation that is currently underway, we will work with refugees and host communities in over 20 countries to build tomorrow’s skills today. In particular, UNDP will coordinate innovative digital initiatives that foster the economic inclusion of refugees -- and support their self-reliance.

In the coming SDGs Decade of Action, let’s work together to reduce protracted displacement trend by half by 2030 in line with 2016 World Humanitarian Summit commitment.

Thank you.