2019 Global Refugee Forum

The first Global Refugee Forum took place on 16 (advance session), 17 and 18 December 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland and brought the international community together to demonstrate solidarity with the world’s refugees and the countries and communities that host them.

States and other stakeholders demonstrated leadership, vision and ambition to share the responsibility for refugees by announcing pledges to improve the lives of refugees and their host communities. Participants also shared good practices that illustrate how the Global Compact is already making a difference around the world.

Reflecting the importance of the occasion, the Forum was attended by some 3,000 participants, including four Heads of State or Government, more than 90 Officials at the Ministerial level, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, approximately 55 international organizations (including United Nations system entities and specialized agencies), representatives of more than 130 companies and foundations, approximately 250 civil society organizations and some 70 refugees.

It also generated considerable interest from the public at large and positive media coverage around the world. The refugees who attended the Forum noted the unprecedented depth of their engagement in both the preparations for this global discussion of refugee issues and the event itself, as well as the pledges they themselves made to contribute to the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees.

Read the full summary of the first Global Refugee Forum by the co-convenors.

The Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

Programme for 16–18 December

Participants at the first Global Refugee Forum walk through the Salle des Pas Perdus in the Palais des Nations.

List of participants

Switzerland. Preparations for the Global Refugee Forum at the Palais des Nations

List of speakers

A microphone on a small podest.

Statements and speeches

Switzerland. Preparing for the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva

Preparatory meetings in the lead-up to the 2019 event

List of Co-sponsors by topic:

Further documents and materials related to the 2019 Global Refugee Forum event:  

  • Refugees and asylum-seekers attending events during the Global Refugee Forum play football on the lawn at the Palais des Nations.
    Refugees and asylum-seekers attending events during the Global Refugee Forum play football on the lawn at the Palais des Nations. © UNHCR/Andrew McConnell
  • UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi meets Jad from Sesame Street, who is visiting the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva.
    UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi meets Jad from Sesame Street, who is visiting the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva. © UNHCR/Mark Henley
  • UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi (front-centre, crouching) meets a group of 70 young refugees attending the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva.
    UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi (front-centre, crouching) meets a group of 70 young refugees attending the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva. © UNHCR/Andrew McConnell
  • The popular restaurant at the lakefront Bains des Pâquis provides lunch for a group of refugees – attended by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi – during the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva.
    The popular restaurant at the lakefront Bains des Pâquis provides lunch for a group of refugees – attended by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi – during the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva. © UNHCR/Andrew McConnell
  • From left to right: Founder of the Tent Foundation Hamdi Ulukaya, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, CEO of the IKEA Foundation Per Heggenes, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce John W.H. Denton.
    From left to right: Founder of the Tent Foundation Hamdi Ulukaya, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, CEO of the IKEA Foundation Per Heggenes, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce John W.H. Denton. © UNHCR
  • Refugees join local players, diplomats and UN staff in teams competing in an indoor football tournament at the 2019 Global Refugee Forum in Geneva.
    Refugees join local players, diplomats and UN staff in teams competing in an indoor football tournament at the 2019 Global Refugee Forum in Geneva. © UNHCR
  • Craft products made by refugees go on sale at the Noel aux Bastions Christmas market in Geneva to coincide with the 2019 Global Refugee Forum.
    Craft products made by refugees go on sale at the Noel aux Bastions Christmas market in Geneva to coincide with the 2019 Global Refugee Forum. © UNHCR
  • Ugandan refugee Charles Burikumaso Nsenga, speaks at a high-level dialogue on protection capacity at the 2019 Global Refugee Forum.
    Ugandan refugee Charles Burikumaso Nsenga, speaks at a high-level dialogue on protection capacity at the 2019 Global Refugee Forum. © UNHCR
  • UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and co-host Manuel Bessler, head of Switzerland's Humanitarian Aid Unit, sum up the results of the first Global Refugee Forum at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
    UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and co-host Manuel Bessler, head of Switzerland's Humanitarian Aid Unit, sum up the results of the first Global Refugee Forum at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. © UNHCR