March 16th, 2016
1
PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA GENEVA
UNHCR 65TH Meeting of the Standing Committee <as delivered>
Geneva, March 15th -17th, 2016
Agenda Item 3(a)(iv): Regional Activities and Global Programmes (Asia and the Pacific)
Statement by the Republic of Korea
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
At the outset, let me express our delegation’s sincere appreciation to UNHCR for its continuing efforts and leading role in addressing humanitarian emergencies as well as other on-going protection challenges in Asia and the Pacific region. Let me also thank Ms. Dell for the eloquent presentation.
Mr. Chairman,
We are currently confronting enormous humanitarian challenges with a number of new humanitarian emergencies in the Middle East and Africa. However, we should not divert our attention from the existing humanitarian imperatives in the Asia-Pacific region, including the largest protracted refugee situation in the world, Afghanistan.
As was highlighted by the high-level segment of the 66th session of the Executive Committee and also by the presentation yesterday, we are at a watershed moment for increased stability and opportunities to find solutions for the displaced persons in Afghanistan. It is indeed regrettable that the worsening security situation in recent months has resulted in massive displacement, both internally and externally. However, we should not miss the window of opportunity still being offered by the Afghan government of National Unity.
Our delegation is concerned to hear that the funding shortfall may impact solutions in this critical year as well as affect UNHCR’s key protection activities. In this regard, we urge the international community to continue to support the governments of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, and other partners of the SSAR, in identifying and implementing lasting solutions for the Afghan refugees.
Mr. Chairman,
The Republic of Korea has been an active supporter of the government and people of Afghanistan as well as the hosting countries. This year is the last leg of our 5-year commitment to provide 500 million US dollars for Afghanistan, and we are currently disbursing the remaining 150 million US dollars.
March 16th, 2016
2
UNHCR has been an excellent partner in this endeavor, implementing two multi-year projects, one in Afghanistan and the other in Iran. Through these projects, UNHCR is not only providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan refugees and returnees, but also creating conditions conducive to the return and sustainable reintegration of the refugees.
As such, Korea will continue its efforts to find development solutions for humanitarian problems, by combining its unique development experience with the needs and demands of the Afghan people.
Mr. Chairman,
Before I conclude remarks on Afghanistan, I would like to emphasize that all returns should be voluntary in conditions of safety and dignity.
In this regard, I would like to call upon UNHCR to spare no efforts to work vigorously with countries involved to prevent any violation of the principle of non-refoulement.
Mr. Chairman,
As was highlighted during the presentation, Asia and the Pacific is home to more than 1.5 million stateless persons. Our delegation commends the UNHCR’s efforts to address statelessness, and we will try to find ways to support UNHCR’s “Global Action Plan to End Statelessness” within a decade.
Mr. Chairman,
Before I finish, I would like to ask a question to UNHCR. Our delegation has particular concerns about unaccompanied or separated refugee children. As was noted in the paper, one quarter of the asylum seekers from Afghanistan are unaccompanied or separated children. We would like to ask what specific measures UNHCR has taken in order to protect these children from Afghanistan along the migration route as well as in the countries of first asylum and in the country of origin, and which measures may reduce and eventually prevent this problem.
I thank you. /End/
