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The United Nations (UN) will next week carry out a wide-ranging review of its global refugee policies, amid escalating conflicts, the growing politicisation of asylum systems and sharp reductions in international aid.
Governments, civil society groups, academics and private sector representatives will meet from Monday to Wednesday for a Global Refugee Forum Review, where progress made in recent years will be assessed and proposals for new approaches discussed.
Fresh donor pledges are also expected at the meeting, as the UN refugee agency grapples with a severe financial crisis.
Worldwide displacement has risen dramatically over the past decade, with the number of forcibly displaced people nearly doubling to 117.3 million.
At the same time, funding for humanitarian assistance has fallen steeply, particularly following Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
The United States, once responsible for more than 40 per cent of the UNHCR’s budget, has cut its contributions since January.
Combined with funding reductions by other major donors, the shortfall has forced the agency to eliminate almost 5,000 jobs — more than a quarter of its workforce.
“This is not the time to retreat,” said Nicolas Brass, head of UNHCR’s global compact on refugees. “It is the moment to strengthen partnerships and reassure refugees and host countries that they are not facing this crisis alone.”
Displacement continued to rise in 2024, reaching a new record of 123.2 million people worldwide, including refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons fleeing conflict, persecution, violence and human rights abuses.
By the end of last year, more than one-third of those displaced came from just four countries: Sudan, with 14.3 million people uprooted; Syria, with 13.5 million; Afghanistan, with 10.3 million; and Ukraine, with 8.8 million.
Despite mounting pressures, Brass said public and political backing for refugees remains evident in many places, noting that around two-thirds of commitments made at the previous Global Refugee Forum have either been fulfilled or are currently being implemented.
Since 2019, 10 countries have introduced labour laws allowing refugees to work legally, enabling more than 500,000 people to access employment.
A further ten nations have reinforced their asylum systems, including Chad, which enacted its first-ever asylum legislation.
However, UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi has warned that progress is under serious threat due to the sharp fall in funding this year. He said existing solutions fall far short of what is needed to meet the scale of global displacement.
“Hard-won gains are at serious risk,” Grandi said in a recent report, cautioning that without renewed political commitment, sustained financing and effective multilateral cooperation, refugee protection systems could begin to unravel.
Grandi, who is stepping down after a decade leading the agency, is expected to be replaced by former Iraqi president Barham Salih.
UNHCR has also highlighted persistent inequalities in burden-sharing, with countries holding just 27 per cent of global wealth hosting 80 per cent of the world’s refugees.
The agency has further warned that around three-quarters of displaced people now live in countries highly vulnerable to climate change.
Discussions at next week’s forum, involving some 1,800 delegates and 200 refugees, will focus on five key areas: innovative funding mechanisms, social and economic inclusion, safe routes to third countries, improving living conditions in refugee camps, and long-term solutions to displacement.
Side events will also address major humanitarian crises, including those affecting Syria, Sudan and Rohingya refugees.
