As delivered by counsellor Kjetil Elsebutangen.
Thank you, co-chair,
We agree that one of the primary goals of the global compact is to find durable solutions for refugees.
Planning for solutions already from the outset of a new refugee crisis is often challenging, but nonetheless of great importance.
Voluntary repatriation is the overall preferred solution.
However, in many cases, this will require political efforts that fall outside the scope of the humanitarian field.
Most refugee situations today are protracted, and renewed efforts are needed to solve conflicts.
We agree that it is important to work with countries of origin to ensure that voluntary repatriation is safe and dignified, and to reduce risk of further displacement.
We would like a bit more clarity on how the GCR may contribute to this and would like to ask if the GCR should give more concrete “guidance” on this than what is currently the case in the first draft.
We are generally supportive of the text relating to resettlement and complementary legal pathways and we welcome the idea of having a three-year strategy with an aim of expanding the number of states offering resettlement and/or complementary legal pathways.
Thank you.