Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Thank you, Chair.
New Zealand warmly welcomes High Commissioner Barham Salih to your first Executive Committee session. At a time of near-record displacement and significant pressures on the humanitarian system, New Zealand remains a committed partner of UNHCR and stands ready to support your leadership in strengthening protection, advancing durable solutions, and reinforcing international responsibility-sharing.
New Zealand reaffirms its strong support for UNHCR and its vital mandate to protect and assist refugees, stateless persons, internally displaced persons, and other forcibly displaced people around the world.
As we mark the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, we reaffirm our commitment to the international refugee protection regime and the principles that underpin it. At a time of unprecedented displacement and growing protection challenges, the Convention remains as relevant and important as ever.
New Zealand remains concerned by the severe funding pressures facing UNHCR. We acknowledge UNHCR's efforts to adapt to an increasingly constrained funding environment while maintaining focus on its core protection mandate. We support continued efforts to strengthen effectiveness, accountability, efficiency and prioritisation, and recognise UNHCR's contribution to the Humanitarian Reset and UN80 Initiative.
We encourage continued partnerships with local actors, including with a focus on women and girls, and persons with disabilities. We also underscore the continued importance of strong governance, oversight and safeguards against sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, fraud, corruption and other misconduct.
For New Zealand, the Asia Pacific remains a priority. We remain deeply concerned by the situation in Myanmar, where conflict continues to drive displacement on a significant scale. By August 2026, 3.9 million people were internally displaced, while 1.6 million people had sought international protection across the region. We are also concerned by the ongoing humanitarian and protection challenges facing Afghanistan, where millions remain displaced and in need of assistance. Across the region, UNHCR’s operational leadership is essential in delivering life-saving assistance, supporting host communities, and advancing durable solutions.
New Zealand continues to provide multi-year and unearmarked contributions that enable UNHCR to direct resources where needs are greatest. We support efforts to strengthen international responsibility-sharing and welcome the High Commissioner's 50by35 vision.
Domestically, New Zealand remains committed to refugee resettlement and complementary pathways. Our Refugee Quota Programme will continue to resettle refugees with priority protection needs, complemented by community sponsorship and family reunification pathways. These programmes reflect our enduring commitment to providing durable solutions, international solidarity and supporting successful integration.
As Chair of the Priority Situations Core Group, New Zealand is working closely with UNHCR and partners to help ensure limited resettlement opportunities are directed to those most in need. We are proud to continue our leadership of the PSCG next year and to strengthen international responsibility-sharing as we build momentum towards the next Global Refugee Forum.
New Zealand remains committed to delivering on our Global Refugee Forum pledges, including strengthening refugee participation, self-reliance, and protection and solutions across the Asia Pacific. As we look ahead to the Forum at the end of next year, we remain focused on translating commitments into practical outcomes and advancing implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees.
Finally, New Zealand pays tribute to the dedication and professionalism of UNHCR staff and humanitarian personnel working in often difficult and dangerous environments. We call on all parties to uphold international humanitarian law, protect humanitarian personnel, and ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access.
New Zealand remains committed to working constructively with the High Commissioner, UNHCR, Executive Committee members, and partners to support a strong, effective and accountable organisation capable of delivering on its core protection mandate.