Context: First ever Global Refugee Forum is being held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Jointly hosted by United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) along with Government of Switzerland.

For Prelims:

What is Global Refugee Forum?

Guided by the Global Compact on Refugees, the Global Refugee Forum is an opportunity to translate the principle of international responsibility-sharing into concrete action.

The Forum will showcase impactful pledges and contributions and the exchange of good practices.

Value addition for Mains:

Refugees situations- concerns and challenges:

• Refugee situations continue to increase in scope, scale, and complexity. There are 25.4 million refugees around the world, and 85 per cent of them are hosted in low- and middle-income countries facing their own economic and development challenges.
• Despite the tremendous generosity of host countries and donors, the gap between needs and the resources available to meet them continues to grow.

There is an urgent need for a more equitable sharing of the burden and responsibility for hosting and supporting the world’s refugees. Refugees and host communities should not be left behind.

What is Global Compact on Refugees?

It was affirmed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2018. It represents the determination of the international community to strengthen solidarity with refugees and the countries that host them. The Compact sets out arrangements to ensure that host countries receive predictable and sustainable support; that refugees can contribute to their host communities and secure their own futures; and that solutions are sought from the outset.