Deputy Secretary-General Spells Out United Nations Commitments on Addressing Forced Displacement, at World Humanitarian Summit High-Level Round Table

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson’s opening remarks, as prepared for delivery, to the High-Level Leaders’ Round Table “Leave No One Behind: A Commitment to Address Forced Displacement”, in Istanbul today:

I call to order the High-Level Leaders’ Round Table on “Leaving No One Behind:  A Commitment to Address Forced Displacement”, at the World Humanitarian Summit.

Welcome.  I am honoured to serve as your Moderator and pleased to be joined by the Co-Chairs of this round table.

Allow me to begin with some brief introductory remarks.

Forced displacement has reached a historic high.  Sixty million people are currently displaced due to violence and conflict.  The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls on us to leave no one behind.  Yet those forcibly displaced are among the furthest behind.

This is called a round table, but it is really a commitment session.  Let me begin with the commitment of the United Nations.  We commit to address forced displacement and fully support your actions in five key areas.

First, through the implementation of internationally agreed norms and standards — and the adoption of additional financial, policy and legal measures which reduce vulnerability and improve resilience.

Second, through safe, dignified and durable solutions for displaced people, and working towards the target of a 50 per cent reduction in internal displacement by 2030.

Third, through support for communities hosting large numbers of refugees — and for building resilience while ensuring economic inclusion of displaced persons.  We welcome the World Bank’s efforts to extend financing to Jordan and Lebanon at the most favourable terms.

Fourth, by working towards a consensus for a global compact on responsibility-sharing for refugees.  In this regard, the September discussions at the United Nations General Assembly will be vital.

Fifth, by fully supporting your efforts to strengthen international laws and policy frameworks to improve the protection of refugees and displaced people.

Finally, leaving no one behind, preserving the humanity and ensuring the dignity of displaced people is our shared responsibility.  This imperative should guide our discussions.

I look forward now to hearing how you, as humanitarian leaders, will contribute to this agenda and make our shared vision a reality.