Global compact on refugees to be adopted in 2018: UNHCR representative

CAIRO - 9 October 2018: "Over 65 million people are forcibly displaced,” head of the European Delegation to Egypt, Ivan Surkos, stated Monday; stressing the EU’s commitment to continuous cooperation beyond humanitarian assistance to "give refugees and migrants their dignity back." 

Surkos spoke at the opening of the “International Conference in Responsibility Sharing for Refugees in the Euro-Mediterranean Space,” organized by the Centre for Migration and Refugees Studies (CMRS) at the American University in Cairo. 

The opening further hosted Karim Atassi, representative for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Egypt, who affirmed that refugees are welcome in many regions, stressing a remarkable expression of solidarity and generosity from host countries. 

Regional countries have provided the conditions, "under which people fleeing conflicts and wars have enjoyed protection,” Atassi stated. He announced that a global compact on refugees will be adopted in September 2018. 

UNHCR representative concluded with a quote by Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi at the UN General Assembly in September, where he said, “Egypt’s foreign policy rested on the principle that the only solution to crises afflicting the Arab region was upholding the notion of the modern nation-state based on citizenship, equality, rule of law and human rights.” 

Ambassador Nabil Fahmy, former minister of foreign affairs, announced the launch of the conference, stating that it will focus on what we all can do “as part of a global compound" regarding the refugees’ crisis. He stressed that the crisis affects both the neighboring countries and Europe, and requires a comprehensive approach 

“It is important to look at the Mediterranean again as a bridge or a highway … What happens on one side affects the other,” Fahmy said, explaining that the refugees’ problem has affected the economic interests and security in the north. 

“There is no quick fix for the refugees’ problem… It goes beyond immediate concerns,” Fahmi said. He further noted that host countries face pressures and demands from refugees, almost as much as they do from their own constituencies, which calls for a political complex to deal with deep rooted daily needs.  

The conference, held in collaboration with the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and partially funded by the EU, is set to last for two days, Monday and Tuesday, consisting of six panels by renowned Egyptian and international researchers and professors. 

The panels shall address the political discourse about refugees, the role of the media, the shortcomings of international, regional and national remedies, as well as refugees’ access to labor markets and their livelihoods. 

The objectives of conference, according to CMRS Director Ibrahim Away, are to conclude with a report about the issues discussed, come up with a statement on behalf of academic and research experts to contribute in the global compound on refugees and lead to further research on the issue.