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Mr. President,

We join others in thanking the High Commissioner for his briefing and express our appreciation for the dedicated work that UNHCR, especially thousands of its staffs have been working on the ground to help and to protect refugees around the globe.

Mr. President,

The tragic plight of refugees in many parts of the world has stirred up the concern of the international community. The latest statistics we heard today are alarming. For the last decade, every year we see a new record high of forcibly displaced people; every year we witness an unprecedented increase in refugee flows, driven mainly by decades-long conflicts in the world. But more worryingly than the numbers themselves, these figures show us a gloomy picture of the greater sufferings that these people are enduring. Their situation is fraught with inadequate living conditions, discrimination, stigmatization, limited access to basic services, etc. Emerging challenges such as people smuggling, trafficking in persons threaten not only their safety and security, but their lives. The adverse impact of climate change and the current COVID-19 pandemic make their already desperate situation reach another level of severity.

In such context, efforts by the host countries are more than ever commendable but their generosity should not be taken for granted. The international community needs to recognize and share the growing burdens upon their shoulders. We therefore particularly emphasize the importance of burden and responsibility sharing to assist refugees and the host countries. The Global Compact on Refugee and the first-ever global refugee forum with more than 800 commitments have engendered a new confidence in boosting cooperation at all levels to address refugee problems. Constructive engagement and dialogue among concerned parties is also the only way to guarantee the successful return and reintegration of refugees.

In doing so, we call on all relevant stakeholders to focus on the humane nature of our work to resolve refugee-related issues. Saving people is humanitarian because that is the very nature of our moral norms and obligations. All genuine efforts must be people-centered, non-politicized and in accordance with the principles of respect for sovereignty of countries concerned and non-interference in internal affairs.

Another crucial factor is the pursuit of a comprehensive and holistic approach to make sure that we will not overlook any aspects of the challenging situation facing refugees. From conflict prevention and resolution, sustainable economic growth, to maintenance of peace and security, they are all mutually reinforcing towards durable solutions. To address the root causes of conflict is to address the root causes of refugee issues. We call on all warring parties in the world to show political will and make greater efforts to achieve a permanent cease-fire and create conducive conditions for a lasting political solution to the conflict.  

Regarding emerging challenges to asylum as mentioned by the High Commissioner, we would like to further emphasize the need to ensure transparency in granting refugee status for asylum seekers. At the same time, it is necessary to make clear distinction between refugees and irregular migrants for economic purposes so as to develop suitable policies, especially in the context of growing non-traditional security threats such as epidemics, natural disasters and climate change.

​On our part, Viet Nam attaches great importance to enhancing cooperation at regional and global levels, including through participating in the Bali process, working with the UNHCR and implementing the Global Compact on Refugees. We will continue to play our part and work closely with other members of the global community in an active and responsible manner.

I thank you./.