Republic of Korea
Thank you, Mr. Chairman,
I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the respectable leadership and commitment you have shown as the Chairman of this Committee. The gratitude of my delegation also goes to the High Commissioner, Mr. Antonio Guterres, for his dedicated efforts to address the challenging issues related with refugees around the world.
Mr. Chairman,
The increased number of refugees and growing complexity of refugee related issues today require ever more innovative and effective approaches by the international community in tackling these daunting challenges. In particular, (as rightly pointed out by the High Commissioner in his opening statement today,) we are witnessing the emerging factors aggravating the refugee related issues, such as global food crisis, economic slowdown and environmental degradation.
Given this backdrop, my delegation appreciates the ongoing reform measures timely taken by the UNHCR, and acknowledges with pleasure that there have been noticeable achievements in this regard. .
First, my delegation welcomes the successful completion of the first phase of the Headquarters Review. In particular, the official inauguration of Global Service Center in Budapest in last February is expected to further increase the efficiency of the Headquarters.
Second, I value the measures taken for decentralization and regionalization, which are designed to increase the effectiveness of the UNHCR’s overall structure, thereby enhancing its level of performance.
Third, progress made in Result-based Management (RBM) is worth mentioning. We welcome the release of new version “Focus,” the RBM software, last March, and the approval of new UNHCR results-based budget structure at the Forty-first Standing Committee.
While recognizing these commendable achievements, we need to bear in mind that there still remain steps to be taken to accomplish the ultimate goal set out at the beginning of this reform process.
The achievements made in the first phase of the Headquarters Review should be reinforced by its second phase, which was launched in last August. The measures taken for decentralization and regionalization should be followed by the finalization of the global accountability framework and empowerment of regional offices. I believe particular scrupulousness will be required in streamlining the coordination between the Headquarter and the Global Service Center in Budapest, as well as between the Headquarters and regional offices in order to avoid any transition glitch.
Mr. Chairman,
We are satisfied with the increased level of activities of the UNHCR for the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence and violence against children under the AGDM(age, gender and diversity mainstreaming) strategy. We share the concern over the added risk that disenfranchised refugee groups, especially women and children, are facing. The AGDM strategy needs to be taken forward in a sustained manner, and in this context, my delegation supports the ACTION Plan initiated by the UNHCR.
(* ACTION : Attitudes, leadership and accountability; Coordination and partnership; Targeted actions for empowerment; Integration of AGDM into UNHCR’s work; Organizational capacity building; and Non-negotiable standards of assistance.)
My delegation would like to also appreciate the ongoing efforts made by the UNHCR for the prevention of refoulement, while emphasizing the need for countries to uphold the principle of non-refoulement. As pointed out in the “Note on International Protection” by the High Commissioner, this principle has not been always complied with since its stipulation in the 1951 Convention. Preventing refoulement should remain one of the foremost priorities in the refugee policies of countries as well as the UNCHR.
Mr. Chairman,
The Korean Government has been increasing its participation in the international endeavor for durable solutions to refugee issues, through close cooperation with the UNHCR. In addition to its voluntary contribution to the UNHCR, the Korean government will continue its efforts to strengthen information sharing and policy coordination with the UNHCR. As part of such efforts, it recently initiated the regular consultation with the UNHCR representatives in Korea. I firmly believe that this consultation will serve as a springboard for further collaboration.
Thank you.
