An EP delegation will travel next week to Geneva to attend the first Global Refugee Forum, aimed at shaping an international response to the challenges of a rising number of refugees.
Headed by Malin Björk (GUE/NGL, SE), seven MEPs of the Committees on Development and Civil Liberties and the Sub-Committee on Human Rights will try to ensure continuation of the Parliament’s work on the UN Global compact on refugees, adopted at the end of last year. The EP has closely followed the process of adopting the UN Global Compacts on Migration and on Refugees since their beginnings more than three years ago.
Convened at the ministerial level, the Global Refugee Forum, from 16 to 18 December, is an opportunity to translate the principle of international responsibility-sharing into concrete action. The key priorities are easing pressure on host countries, enhancing refugee self-reliance, expanding access to third-country solutions, and supporting conditions in countries of origin for return in safety and dignity.
MEPs will take part in debates prior to the Global Refugee Forum, and in the conference itself, through participation in the official programme, in spotlight sessions and other events and by arranging bilateral meetings with different stakeholders. These activities should serve to advance Parliament’s activities in support of international human rights law, its legislative role in the European Union on issues related to forced displacement and asylum, and in shaping the EU’s external action in supporting refugees and host communities through development and humanitarian assistance.
The members taking part in the delegation are: Malin BJÖRK (GUE/NGL, SE), Chair of the Delegation, Lena DÜPONT (EPP, DE), Mónica Silvana GONZÁLEZ (S&D, ES), Irina VON WIESE (Renew, UK), Damien CARÊME (Greens/EFA, FR), Bernhard ZIMNIOK (ID, DE), Rob ROOS (ECR, NL).
