ADSP-ICVA: Explainer to the Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees
In December 2018, the United Nations General Assembly affirmed the Global Compact on Refugees. The GCR – the culmination of a two-year process of extensive consultations with Member States, international organisations, refugees, civil society, the private sector, and experts – articulated a fresh model of cooperation and joint objectives. The four GCR objectives are:
1. Easing the pressures on host countries;
2. Enhancing refugee self-reliance;
3. Expanding access to third-country solutions; and
4. Supporting conditions in countries of origin for return in safety and dignity
In December 2019, as a follow-up to the GCR, the inaugural Global Refugee Forum was held in Geneva, Switzerland. The aim of the Forum was to translate the principle of international responsibility into action through pledging, commitments, and sharing of best practices. The event was co-hosted by UNHCR and Switzerland, and co-convened with Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Germany, Pakistan and Türkiye.
The Forum led to an historic set of commitments and pledges, one which specifically called for the formation of ‘Support Platforms’ in an effort to promote responsibility sharing and regional refugee responses. Initially conceived as a ‘group of friends’, the three Support Platforms were created i.e., MIRPS in Central America and Mexico, the Nairobi Process facilitated by IGAD in the East and Horn of Africa, and the SSAR Support Platform for Afghan Refugees.
This Explainer – produced in partnership by the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) and the Asia Displacement Solutions Platform (ADSP) – aims to clarify the Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees, and provide an overview of how NGOs and others can productively and proactively engage with this Platform.
The full explainer can be found here.