The first ever Global Refugee Forum took place on 17 and 18 December 2019 and was a true milestone in the advancement of the international refugee regime. The Forum comes at the end of a tumultuous decade in which the number of refugees has risen to over 25 million people worldwide. It brought the international community together to demonstrate solidarity with the world’s refugees and the countries and communities that host them.
H.E. Dr. Zsuzsanna Horváth, permanent representative of Hungary to the UN in Geneva presented the position of Hungary, underlining that we are witnessing an extremely worrying trend. Refugee situations continue to increase in scope, scale, and complexity. According to UNHCR’s recent report on forced displacement, an unprecedented 70.8 million people around the world have been forced to flee from home, as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, or human rights violations, just to mention a few of the root causes.
It is our firm view that addressing the root causes of forced displacement must be in the core of our refugee policy. We cannot put enough emphasis on the need to stop the unexampled volume of human rights violations, armed conflicts, poverty, food insecurity, persecution, terrorism and climate change.
Every human being has the right to live in peace and security in their own country and refugees has the right to return to their country of origin. Hungary stands ready to facilitate the sustainability of return that is also linked to economic development and the creation of employment opportunities in countries of origin. In 2019, Hungary adopted its Africa Strategy that highlights the importance of developing the economies of sub-Saharan countries, spurring job creation and improving local living conditions thereby enabling people to find prosperity in their own countries.
In the framework of Hungary Helps programme launched in 2016, long term humanitarian and development aid is provided where it is needed and we also facilitate the knowledge transfer through scholarships and training programmes, such as the Stipendium Hungaricum launched in 2013.
There are 25.9 million refugees around the world, and 85 per cent of them are hosted in low and middle-income countries facing their own economic and development challenges. Today, we are here to show support to refugees, host countries and communities and to exchange good practices.
In recognition of the need for international solidarity in addressing global issues, since 2004 Hungary has more than quadrupled the amount of its Official Development Assistance (ODA). In line with our commitment to leaving no one behind, in 2019 Hungary launched the first phase of a comprehensive, 16million euro development programme in the Republic of Uganda, one of the largest refugee-hosting countries in the world. The programme, inter alia, aims providing refugees and local communities access to clean water. Another element of the programme aims at better registration of refugees, according to which Hungary shall establish a secure database enabling the biometric registration and identification of people.
Approximately one-fourth (24.6%) of Hungary’s geographically earmarked ODA contributed to the stability and peace of the region, in particular in Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Turkey. Our efforts centre on improving the economic situation of the people affected by the crises, thereby reducing the root causes of migration.
We recognize the tremendous generosity of Turkey, hosting the biggest number of refugees in the world, trying to provide them with adequate support, including education, livelihoods and jobs. The Hungarian Government is currently considering the means and type of support to provide Turkey in hosting refugees and to facilitate the safe, dignified and voluntary return of refugees from Turkey to their country of origin.
It is to be acknowledged that irregular mixed flows are presenting major challenges for countries and it is important to stress that States have rights and responsibilities to control their borders and to implement protection sensitive border control procedures. The identification and separation of fighters and combatants at border entry points or as early as possible after arrival safeguards the security of all. Furthermore, early identification of those in need of international protection is not only the interest of States but that of refugees and other persons entitled to international protection.
We express our sincere gratitude for the remarkable work done by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in assisting refugees and other displaced persons. As a member of the Executive Committee, Hungary is deeply committed to and supportive of UNHCR's mandate. Budapest hosts the UNHCR regional office and shared service centre for Central Europe, with generous long-term support from the Hungarian Government, which is again, a token of Hungary’s commitment to UNHCR and the cause it represents.