Colombia Key Player in the 2023 Global Refugee Forum

Colombia will play a significant role in the 2023 Global Refugee Forum (GRF) to be held from December 13 to 15 in Geneva, considering its historical experience with internal forced displacement and its hospitality toward Venezuelan refugees, migrants, and those from other nations in the region.

As one of the five co-conveners alongside the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the South American country underscores its commitment and substantial role in this gathering. Colombia, with 6.9 million internally displaced persons and being the fourth country to host 2.8 million refugees and migrants, offers a crucial perspective for addressing these global challenges.

A fundamental role as co-convener

The GRF aims to mobilize international solidarity to bolster actions in countries receiving a significant number of forcibly displaced individuals. In a world where 36.4 million people are refugees and 114 million are displaced, this event represents a collective effort to find comprehensive solutions and promote the socio-economic integration of these communities.

The Colombian government plays a pivotal role as a co-convener, focusing on sharing experiences, identifying best practices, and forging strong commitments to provide vital opportunities and solutions for those affected.

The GRF convenes a variety of actors, from states to businesses, NGOs, and grassroots groups, to generate transformative and concrete commitments. These may include financial assistance, resettlement sites, measures to address root causes of displacement, policies to foster inclusion and protection, among others.

Platform to materialize commitments

The event aspires to provide refugees access to education, address the climate change driving forced displacement, and enable them to contribute to new societies through work, generating mutual benefits. It also aims to have refugees recognized as agents of peace and able to build their futures with dignity and opportunities.

The GRF is not merely a discussion forum but a platform to materialize commitments and actions that have a tangible impact on the lives of millions of displaced persons. It is an opportunity to offer support and acknowledgment to those seeking to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. With its experience and commitment, Colombia emerges as a crucial player in this global effort for peace and integration.