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EU Statement – UN General Assembly 3rd Committee: Report of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees

06.11.2025
New York

6 November 2025, New York - Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States at the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, Interactive Dialogue in Third Committee: Report of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees

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Thanks Mr Chair, 

 

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

 

  1. High Commissioner, thank you for your remarks and presentation of your report. Let me start by expressing our appreciation for your leadership and for the dedication HCR’s staff and partner organizations on the ground, including local actors. You can count on our solid partnership to support the work and mandate of your Office, politically as well as financially. 

  2. Today we meet against the backdrop of record levels of displacement. We are deeply concerned by the unprecedented number of forcibly displaced and stateless persons worldwide. When parties to conflict flagrantly violate international humanitarian law (IHL), civilians pay the price. Respect for IHL, protection of humanitarian space, and accountability for violations must remain at the heart of our collective action. At all times, humanitarian access and humanitarian space must be safeguarded and the safety and security of humanitarian and medical workers ensured by parties to conflict, be it State or non-State actors. 

 

  1. We acknowledge with deep concern UNHCR’s severe funding constraints. The EU commends your continued reform and business transformation efforts to adapt the organisation — difficult but necessary decisions in light of the widening gap between needs and resources. We support UNHCR’s active engagement in the UN80 and Humanitarian Reset processes. Reform, including efforts to clarify roles, reduce duplications, and increase shared data and services, is essential to make the system more efficient, inclusive, transparent and sustainable. 

 

  1. Question to HC Grandi: We also wish to thank you for the many briefings provided to Member States. These efforts reflect a strong commitment to transparency and openness in keeping us informed about the ongoing downsizing. Given your 10-year tenure as UNHCR Chief, and taking into account your call on the MS to “beware of quick fixes”, what do you see as more sustainable approaches that could be pursued immediately and collectively? 

 

  1. We underline the importance of UNHCR’s route-based approach and to promote voluntary, safe and dignified return, as well as further strengthening UNHCR’s work on sustainable programming. It is key to avoid creating long term humanitarian dependency in protracted situations. 

  2. We value UNHCR’s catalytic role in bridging humanitarian and development responses and in promoting sustainable inclusion of refugees in national systems with strong leadership of host governments. Cooperation with international financial institutions, IOM, WFP and other agencies and partners remains vital to ensure durable solutions, self-reliance and economic participation. 

 

  1. For decades, the EU and its Member States have been providing reliable support in responses to forced displacement contexts on all continents. In fact, this year marked an increase of our contributions to assisting forcibly displaced persons and their host communities.

 

  1. European countries are also stepping up safe and legal pathways to protection in line with their national competencies. The new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, including the forthcoming Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework, aims to strengthen global resettlement efforts. The right to seek and enjoy asylum and the principle of non-refoulement remain at the core of European law and action. 

 

  1. Finally, we reaffirm our strong trust in UNHCR’s protection role and its central mission to safeguard the rights and dignity of those forced to flee. As you have consistently reminded us, the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol remain as relevant as ever — binding international instruments that uphold the right to seek and enjoy asylum and the principle of non-refoulement.

 

  1. Let me conclude by reiterating our deep appreciation to you High Commissioner for your decade of dedicated service, marked by unwavering commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of displaced persons worldwide. Your leadership and tireless efforts have left an indelible impact on the global refugee response. 

 

Thank you.