Global Refugee Forum

What is the Global Refugee Forum?

The first Global Refugee Forum took place in 2019 and brought the international community together to demonstrate solidarity with the world's refugees and their host communities.

Guided by the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), the Forum aimed to translate the principle of international responsibility into action.

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.

The event was co-hosted by UNHCR and Switzerland, and co-convened by Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Germany, Pakistan and Turkey.

Key facts

• 3,000 participants
• 80+ events, sessions and exhibitions
• 1,400 pledges announced in the lead-up to and during the GRF
• 350+ Good Practices shared
• Public interest and positive media coverage around the world
• Unprecedented refugee participation (70+ refugees)
• Launch of the Support Platforms & GCR Initiatives
• 10 Public events across Geneva and a Solidarity Train
• Launch of GCR Digital Platform

Download the Outcomes document to find out more about the impact of the first Global Refugee Forum.

Where do we go from here?

The true success of the Global Refugee Forum lies in the implementation of the pledges announced and in ensuring good practices are sustained and replicated. Actualizing them will be a collective effort that will require the cooperation and engagement of all stakeholders. UNHCR will support the implementation and facilitate matching of pledges at the country, regional and global level.

This has the makings of a success. Making it a success is incumbent on all of us.

- Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Visit the Pledges and Contributions dashboard to track progress since the GRF.

Upcoming GRFs and High-level Officials meetings

The Global Refugee Forum is set to take place every four years to galvanise financial support, technical expertise and policy change to help reach the goals of the GCR.

The next Forum will provide an opportunity to make new pledges and for States and relevant stakeholders to take stock of the implementation of their previous pledges and progress made towards the achievement of the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees. High-level officials’ meetings, held every two years between Forums, will provide an opportunity for a “mid-term review”.

The first High-level Officials Meeting was held in December 2021. The next Global Refugee Forum will be held in 2023. Information on GRF 2023 will be shared once available.

If you have any further questions or comments, please contact the Global Refugee Forum Coordination Team at [email protected].