Mr. Chair, Mr. High Commissioner:

Over the past year, under the leadership of the High Commissioner Mr. Grandi , UNHCR has made substantial efforts in responding to refugee crises and advancing its internal reforms, for which China expresses its appreciation. Taking this opportunity, I would also like to thank the High Commissioner for his dedicated service over the past decade and outstanding contributions to the global governance of refugees. 

At present, global refugee governance faces mounting challenges. The number of forcibly displaced persons has been rising for 10 consecutive years. Significant reductions of humanitarian assistance further exacerbate the difficulties in global refugee governance. In response to this situation, China wishes to put forward four points:

First, pursuing durable solutions. The resolution over refugee issues ultimately lies in addressing security and development challenges. All parties should uphold the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and work toward an early ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, thereby reducing refugee crisis caused by the scourge of war. A universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization should also be promoted to ensure that the gains of development benefit all countries fairly, so as to help the countries of origin enhance their self-reliance development capacity and create conditions for the voluntary, safe and sustainable return of refugees. 

Second, shouldering shared responsibility. All parties should uphold the spirit of solidarity and work together to address refugee issues. We should support UNHCR in enhancing its efficiency and capacity through reform and help it overcome its financial difficulties. Developing countries have long devoted tremendous human and material resources to coping with refugee crisis. Developed countries should fully deliver on aid commitments, and those bearing primary responsibility for refugee crisis should expand aid even further and provide greater support to refugees and hosting countries. 

Third, exploring technology enabling solutions for refugee issues. The rapid development of emerging technologies such as AI and big data offers new opportunities to address refugee challenges. UNHCR should work with all parties to enhance the application of these technologies to improve the efficiency of crisis response and help refugees acquire relevant skills to better integrate into the information society. We should also leverage emerging technologies in advancing green and sustainable development to assist developing countries in enhancing their capacities in disaster risk management and climate change response, and reduce cross border displacement driven by climate and environmental factors. 

Fourth, upholding impartiality and neutrality. Impartiality, neutrality and non-politicization are fundamental principles of international humanitarian actions and essential foundation for the sound development of the international refugee protection cause. All parties must strictly adhere to the guiding principles of UN humanitarian assistance, safeguard the credibility of the international refugee protection system, guarantee humanitarian access in a manner that respects sovereignty, and prevent the politicization and misuse of refugee protection mechanisms as shields for separatists and terrorists or as tools for certain countries to interfere in the internal affairs of others. 

Mr. Chair, 

China firmly upholds and practices multilateralism, supports UNHCR in playing a central role in addressing refugee issues, actively promotes political settlement of hotspot issues, and provides financial and project-based assistance to UNHCR to the best of our ability, thereby contributing to global refugee governance through concrete actions.

In the context of new circumstances and challenges in global governance, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative, which provides important and practical guidance for improving global refugee governance and addressing the root causes of refugee challenges. China stands ready to work with UNHCR and all parties, and continue to contribute to the proper resolution of the refugee issues and the advancement of the international humanitarian cause. 

Thank you, Mr. Chair.