Global Refugee Forum 2023

Three refuges smile for the camera. One holds a violin, another is in medical scrubs.

About the Global Refugee Forum

The Global Refugee Forum 2023 takes place from 13 to 15 December at the Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland, with linked events held in other locations from 11 December onwards.

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.

It provides the opportunity for States and stakeholders to announce concrete pledges and contributions, highlight progress made, share good practices and take stock of the challenges and opportunities ahead.

The 2023 Forum is co-convened by five States – Colombia, France, Japan, Jordan and Uganda, and co-hosted by the Government of Switzerland and UNHCR.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees during the closing of the Global Refugee Forum

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CLOSING REMARKS

Closing remarks from the High Commissioner Mr. Filippo Grandi at the Global Refugee Forum 2023

15 December 2023

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CLOSING SUMMARY

Summary of the Global Refugee Forum 2023 by the co-hosts and co-convenors

Republic of Colombia, France, Japan, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Republic of Uganda, the Swiss Confederation, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

View information on the Global Refugee Forum in other languages French | Spanish | Arabic

Video highlights and statements

Delegates’ statements and webcasts of the plenary session will be made available via the links below. View the official programme for details of session schedules and speakers.

Filippo Grandi, the High Commissioner for Refugees, speaks from a podium during the 2019 Global Refugee Forum.

Speeches and statements

Member States and delegates' speeches and statements.

View speeches and statements

Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, is seen onscreen at the final plenary and Closing Ceremony of the Global Refugee Forum 2023.

Recorded plenary sessions

Recorded webcasts of the plenary sessions from the Forum.

View recorded plenary sessions

Sudanese refugees celebrate Eid al-Adha with the local community at a UNHCR-supported displacement site at Korsi in the Central African Republic.

Live blog

Follow all the key announcements, updates and news from Geneva via the live blog.

Read the blog

The referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded.

Join the conversation: #RefugeeForum

Action. Unity. Impact.

[The Compact] represents the political will and ambition of the international community as a whole for strengthened cooperation and solidarity with refugees and affected host countries.

From the Guiding Principles of the Global Compact on Refugees

Events and sessions at the Forum

The Forum plenary session and parallel high-level events were held at the Palexpo convention centre in Geneva. A range of linked events also took place around Geneva in the lead-up to and during the Forum.

A conference room with a stage and rows of seats.

Official programme

View the programme for the Global Refugee Forum 2023 for an outline of events and speakers.

View programme

A person walks past a series of posters at the 2019 Global Refugee Forum.

Linked events in Geneva

A range of official linked events were held around Geneva in conjunction with the Forum.

View linked events

A woman browses jewelry and handicrafts at an indoor market stall.

Exhibitions at the Forum

The Forum featured a range of stalls, installations and talks in the Exhibition Space of the Palexpo.

View details on exhibitions

Information for attendees

Programme

Programme outline for the Global Refugee Forum 2023.

List of speakers

List of delegations that will make a formal statement from the floor.

Information note: States, IGOs, UN

Overview and key information for States, IGOs and UN entities (pdf).

Information note: other stakeholders

Overview and key information for other stakeholders (pdf).

Submit a pledge or contribution

Guidance on how to develop and submit a pledge or contribution.
Pledging guidance | MSP guidance | Submit a pledge form

Refugee inclusion

Guidance on refugee inclusion in State and stakeholder delegations (pdf).

Logistics and practical information

Location information, venue map, and registration details.

Media

Information and resources for media covering the Forum.

Press opportunities and social media resources

Details on holding press briefings and the VIP Social Media Zone along with social media and brand assets.

✉️ Contact us

If you have additional questions, you can refer to the frequently asked questions. If you're unable to find the information you're looking for, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Global Compact on Refugees Coordination Team at the email provided below.

Email the GCR Team

Four children hold their hands over a child's drawing of the world.

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Global Compact on Refugees

The Global Compact on Refugees, affirmed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018, put in place measures to support a new comprehensive refugee response framework that aims to:

Ease pressures on countries that host refugees
Enhance opportunities for refugees to become self-reliant
Expand refugees’ access to third-country solutions such as resettlement and other pathways
Support conditions in refugees’ countries of origin so that they may be able to return in safety and dignity.

The key global arrangement is the Global Refugee Forum where States and other actors come together every four years to take stock of progress made and pledge further contributions to help reach the objectives of the Compact.

Learn more about the Compact