Ethiopia Endorses Six Pledges for Global Refugee Forum 2023
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopian authorities are set to make six pledges for refugees and host communities at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum (GRF).
The final Pledge for GRF 2023 was validated and endorsed by a ministerial meeting organized by the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) on Thursday.
Ethiopia is one of the world’s largest refugee host countries, sheltering close to a million refugees and asylum seekers.
Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen indicated the commitment to welcoming refugees as a duty of its global obligation.
Demeke also emphasized that efforts are in progress to facilitate the integration of refugees into their host communities and national systems.
Ethiopia’s pledges for GRF include addressing the adverse impacts of climate change; transforming selected refugee camps into urban settlements; and integrating refugees into existing national systems.
It also includes creating enabling environments for more investment in refugee-hosting regions; providing access to land and irrigation schemes; and enhancing digital connectivity to provide registration and civil documentation.
The pledges will be announced at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum which will take place from 13 to 15 December in Geneva, Switzerland.
Held every four years, the Forum is the world’s largest international gathering on refugees.
It is designed to support the practical implementation of the objectives set out in the Global Compact on Refugees: Ease pressures on host countries, enhance refugee self-reliance, increase access to third-country solutions and improve conditions in countries of origin.
