PH Commits to Address Refugees’ Plight at First Global Refugee Forum

Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva Ambassador Evan P. Garcia (left), and Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) State Counsel IV Paulito C. de Jesus (seated, center), join DOJ Legal Staff/Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Chief State Counsel Ruben F. Fondevilla (right) as he delivers the Philippine Statement in the historic First Global Refugee Forum at Palais des Nations, Geneva on 18 December 2019. (Geneva PM photo)

GENEVA 23 December 2019 — The Philippine Government highlighted the state’s unwavering commitment to attain a world that respects the rights of every individual with or without a country at the First Global Refugee Forum on 18 December 2019.

The Global Refugee Forum is the first historic gathering to discuss and share ideas on the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) — the guiding document adopted by states and stakeholders in improving the international response to new and existing refugee challenges.

Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) Legal Staff, Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit Officer-in-Charge Chief State Counsel Ruben F. Fondevilla delivered the Philippine statement at Geneva United Nations (UN) Office, and shared the pledges of the country to support the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in its mandate to find solutions to worldwide situations in response to address refugees’ plight.

“Philippines commits to further enhance its policy, legal, and operational framework for refugees to ensure their full access to rights as guaranteed by the 1951 Convention, including their naturalization, and other rights as may be provided by Philippine national laws,” OIC Chief State Counsel Fondevilla said.

The Philippines will continue implementing the Emergency Transit Mechanism in cooperation with UNHCR and International Organization for Migration, and will explore complementary pathways for admitting refugees with the support of Complementary Pathways Initiative. The country will also strengthen public-private partnerships for skills and livelihood training for refugees in country.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, as well as leaders of Switzerland, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Germany, Pakistan, and Turkey graced the opening ceremony on 17 December, which is considered to be a milestone achievement by UNHCR being part of the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees. END

For more information, visit https://www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph  or https://www.facebook.com/PHinGenevaUN/.