United Nations General Assembly
© UNHCR/Slaven Vlasic
The General Assembly is the main deliberative and representative organ of the United Nations, comprising all 193 Member States.
In accordance with UNHCR’s Statute, the High Commissioner follows policy directives from the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Each year, during the summer, the High Commissioner reports orally to ECOSOC. In early November, he presents his annual report to the General Assembly through the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee, or the Third Committee.
The Third Committee also considers and adopts three resolutions related to UNHCR, namely:
- The resolution on the work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner, or omnibus resolution
- The resolution on the Enlargement of the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
- The resolution on Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa
While the enlargement resolution to increase the membership of the Executive Committee is technical, the other two are discussed and negotiated on an annual basis by United Nations Member States and agreed upon by consensus. The negotiation process of the omnibus resolution is traditionally chaired by a representative of one of the Scandinavian Permanent Missions in Geneva, and the Africa resolution is managed by representatives of African countries.
UNHCR annual reports and omnibus resolutions
General Assembly reports and resolutions relating to UNHCR
- Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa. Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 19 December 2016 3 Feb 2017
- Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa. Report of the Secretary-General 23 Aug 2016
- Assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa. Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 17 December 2015 23 Feb 2016
Thematic compilation of General Assembly & Economic and Social Council resolutions
- 5th edition, December 2015
- 4th edition, June 2014
- 3rd edition, June 2013
High Commissioner's Statements to the Third Committee, 1952 to date
- Third Committee of the General Assembly, 71st Session. Statement by Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 2 Nov 2016
- Third Committee of the General Assembly, 70th Session (New York, November 3) United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres' statement on questions relating to refugees, returnees and displaced persons 3 Nov 2015
- Statement by António Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Third Committee of the General Assembly, 69th Session, 5 November 2014 5 Nov 2014