New York City — In response to the absence of a representative from the United States at today’s United Nations meeting on the Global Compact on Refugees, Church World Service’s Erol Kekic issued the following statement:
“Today’s High Level Event on the Global Compact on Refugees, was everything it was designed to be–an expression of a high degree of political will from the hosting countries and calls for more solidarity, burden and responsibility sharing. However what was most notable to all in the room was the absence of three powerful former global leaders – the United States, UK, and Australia.
“It is extremely disappointing that the United States would choose to disengage from efforts by the international community to develop solutions to address the growing global migration crisis. Left unaddressed this unprecedented global migration crisis will only grow bigger, with some estimates of 180-320 million people being forcibly displaced by year 2030.
“The Global Compact is not legally binding, but offers a pathway to UNHCR and others involved in the search for solutions leverage to start negotiating a new way forward. Together with development actors, such as the World Bank and its’ institutions, the Compat provides the opportunity for the humanitarian sector to finally start investing in solutions that are more sustainable, more equitable and more realistic.
“The Compact is perhaps the only real chance more than 25 million refugees have at the moment, but it will take a concerted effort of the global community–including the United States– for this process to succeed. When countries as powerful and rich as the United States fail to publicly express support for the Compact in these types of meetings, as it would have been customary in the past, its sets as bad example for the rest of the world.”
Kekic attended today’s event, which was moderated by the High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, and speakers included the Prime Minster of Bangladesh, Vice President of Costa Rica, and a Foreign Mister of Turkey. The initial presentations were followed by interventions from the floor, from about 22 states, two NGOs and IFRC. The President of General Assembly also greeted the group.
Since 1946, Church World Service has supported refugees, immigrants and other displaced individuals, in addition to providing sustainable relief and development solutions to communities that wrestle with hunger and poverty. Learn more about our work and join our global homebase for refugee solidarity at GreaterAs1.org.
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