Thank you, High Commissioner, for your opening comments.
Excellencies, Friends,
We know the global situation is stark.
As you say, High Commissioner, 2024 has been a year of relentless
emergencies which have caused vulnerable people to flee their
homes all over the world.
Russia's illegal war in Ukraine is provoking continued human
misery, as are devastating conflicts in Sudan, the OPTs, and
elsewhere. And climate change is exacerbating the drivers of
displacement. At times it feels that we are trapped in a spiral
of ever-worsening displacement.
The United Kingdom will build on your efforts, High Commissioner,
to draw the world's attention to the devastating Sudan crisis. My
government is doing its part, we are doubling humanitarian aid to
Sudan, but funding is not enough : we must ensure aid actually
reaches those who need it and we must bring an end to this
devastating conflict.
These trends mean it is more important than ever to work in
solidarity and in unity to ensure that in 2025 we do not see a
further spate of crises in which the most vulnerable people
suffer the most.
We know too that statelessness - a condition that strips people
of their basic rights - is expected to evolve in the coming year
as improvements in data show us the scale of the issue. The
United Kingdom is committed to tackling statelessness. And as an
early member of the Global Alliance to End Statelessness we
encourage others to join us in working towards a future where
statelessness is a thing of the past.
The United Kingdom welcomes the UNHCR's Global Appeal for 2025.
But clearly, High Commissioner, the appeal does not bring much
good cheer, with the number of forcibly displaced expected to
reach over 139 million over the next 12 months.
Under your leadership, UNHCR's efforts to moderate its annual
budget through increased efficiencies are important; we do not
underestimate the challenge you face in driving through these
vital reforms.
The United Kingdom remains a committed partner to UNHCR, and over
the past year we have increased significantly our contributions,
to £82m ($105m), an increase of over 40% on 2023.
The idiosyncrasies of the British financial calendar make it
difficult for us to announce our overall annual commitment for
2025, but I am pleased to confirm that the United Kingdom will
provide an unearmarked core contribution of £33 million in 2025,
which we will further supplement through country-specific
contributions disbursed throughout the year, in line with the
most urgent needs.
My government is strongly committed to supporting forcibly
displaced persons globally as well as the countries and
communities who host them, to whom we extend, once again, our
deep appreciation.
But kind words are insufficient thanks, and as the most recent
Compact Indicator Report set out, the United Kingdom is also the
5th largest ODA donor to refugee response worldwide. We are proud
to hold that position and urge others with capacity to step up
their efforts.
With needs increasing and resourcing stretched, we must also
welcome new ideas.
That is why the United Kingdom is a firm supporter of the
Sustainable Responses approach initiated by you, High
Commissioner.
Including refugees in existing national systems is not just the
right thing to do, but it is the smart thing to do - unlocking
human capital via refugees' contribution to host communities and
economies and avoiding costly parallel arrangements which demand
too much of stretched humanitarian budgets.
The United Kingdom recognises UNHCR's tremendous efforts to meet
these challenges.
And I want to end by personally thanking you, High Commissioner,
as you enter the final year of your term, and all UNHCR staff and
partners, particularly those working on the front line, for their
dedication and commitment, often in difficult and dangerous
situations, to the cause of refugees.
Thank you.
