96th UNHCR Standing Committee: New Zealand Statement on International Protection

Thank you, Chair. Congratulations on your election.

New Zealand reaffirms its strong commitment to the international refugee protection regime, grounded in the 1951 Convention and its Protocol.

Our Asia Pacific region continues to face complex and rapidly evolving humanitarian pressures, with mixed and onward movements placing significant strain on protection systems. In an increasingly complex global landscape, New Zealand remains firmly committed to predictable, and protection focused responses.

We are deeply concerned by the growing gap between escalating needs and constrained resources, which - amid very difficult organisational and staffing decisions - continues to place significant pressure on UNHCR's ability to deliver life saving assistance and uphold its core protection mandate.

Durable solutions must remain at the heart of our collective efforts. Against this backdrop, through our longstanding Refugee Quota Programme and complementary pathways, New Zealand will continue to support third-country solutions, including from the Asia-Pacific region where protection needs remain high.

As chair of the Priority Situations Core Group, New Zealand is seeking to preserve and strengthen the value of resettlement as a life-saving protection and strategic tool. To maximise the impact of the resettlement places we have at our disposal, we must sharpen our collective focus through closer alignment with the most acute needs.

New Zealand underscores the critical importance of sustained, flexible resettlement programmes and pathways, as well as funding. We are proud to continue providing unearmarked, multi year contributions to UNHCR. This approach enables the organisation to respond with agility, prioritise protection outcomes, and direct resources to underfunded and high need contexts.

We also support inclusive, comprehensive protection approaches along routes-empowering local actors, strengthening national systems, and improving access to services and solutions for those on the move. Better coordination and reduced duplication will be essential to deliver faster, more efficient and more accountable support.

New Zealand is deeply concerned by rising risks to humanitarian personnel and calls on all parties to uphold international humanitarian law. We pay tribute to the dedication and courage of UNHCR staff and partners working in challenging and dangerous environments.

New Zealand stands ready to work with UNHCR, Member States, and partners to advance a strong and effective international protection system.

We would like to also acknowledge that this is Deputy High Commissioner Kelly Clements' final Standing Committee and express our deep appreciation for her outstanding leadership and dedication to the organisation. Her contributions have had a lasting impact, and we wish her, and the two outgoing Assistant High Commissioners, every success in their next chapters ahead.

Thank you, Chair.