Multistakeholder Pledge: Call to Local Action and Solidarity in Secondary Cities & Local and Regional Governments

Key outcome

For cities, secondary cities, and regional governments to implement the Global Compact on Refugees.

New pledges made by Secondary Cities & Local and Regional Governments will include:

• New support for climate action;
• Support for policies that advance inclusion and durable solutions;
• Support for policies and practices that increase opportunities for labour mobility and education;
• Identifying the need for additional and quality financing for humanitarian, development, and peace cooperation.

Background

Secondary Cities and Local and Regional Governments continue to ensure refugees, migrants, and other vulnerable people have access to the services in their communities and cities on the same basis as long-term residents. They have often done this without additional resources, and the unplanned sudden growth in their population can put pressure on land, housing, labour markets, and essential services, including health and education.

While urban settings offer opportunities, forcibly displaced and stateless persons can live in precarious situations. They can struggle to access health, education and other socio-economic services and find adequate housing and decent employment.

While international legal frameworks –such as the Refugee Convention--outline refugees' access to rights and services, including the right to work, health, education, and social protection, administrative and practical barriers remain. Many of these barriers can be addressed at the local level.

Expanding adequate access of refugees to rights and services is not simply a matter of promoting policy but a reflection of the broad aspirations of the Global Compact on Refugees, which requires the participation of the whole of society and identifies the critical role of local governments in integration and inclusion. Local authorities issue temporary documentation or train frontline municipal staff to waive requirements so forcibly displaced and stateless persons can receive essential services. These local actions make an enormous difference in the everyday lives of the forcibly displaced.

The Call to Local Action and Solidarity in Secondary Cities & Local and Regional Governments includes inviting cities to pledge to the Global Compact on Refugees and Global Compact on Migration as well as through nationwide and city network initiatives.

Leadership

• United Cities and Local Government
• Mayors Migration Council
• Geneva Cities Hub
• Cities Alliance
• Mayors Mechanism
• City of Sanctuary, UK
• IOM
• Govt. of Switzerland
• South Africa Refugee led Network

Supported by UNHCR.

Contact details

Claire Lamont [email protected]

Calendar

• 16-17 May 2023 – In-person planning meeting and Second Formal Preparatory Meeting of the 2023 Global Refugee Forum
• 19 June 2023 - Together #WithRefugees: Event: Our Organised Constituency towards the Global Refugee Forum Dialogue with the international community on strengthening the role of LRGs in the implementation of the Global Compact for Refugees
• 5 & 26 September, 17 October, 7 & 28 November-Planning meetings