Ruud Lubbers (Netherlands): 2001-2005

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr Ruud Lubbers, at the press conference taking place at the end of the week-long meeting of the UNHCR Executive Committee, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. / UNHCR / S. Hopper / October 8, 2004.

"The politicization of immigration and confusion between refugees and migrants has combined to sour public debate and water down legislation in many States."

Ruud Lubbers is a former Dutch prime minister who took office in 2001 as UNHCR marked its 50th anniversary. As High Commissioner, he focused much of his attention on developing innovative new approaches toward finding solutions for the world's refugees.

He oversaw major UNHCR programs and emergency operations in several countries and regions, including West Africa, Angola and Afghanistan, where more than three million refugees and displaced people have since returned home in one of the agency's largest ever repatriations.

Read Ruud Lubbers' speeches