Statement by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini at the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review

Statement by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini at the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review

15 December 2025, Geneva

High Commissioner,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

This is a time of profound uncertainty and insecurity for refugees globally.

Collective failures to resolve conflicts, to govern equitably, and to address climate change are driving major crises of displacement.

As millions more flee their homes, and fight for survival, the international humanitarian response is weakened by wavering political commitment and severely reduced funding - making today's pledges even more critical.

Global solidarity is waning, with countries in the northern hemisphere becoming increasingly impenetrable for people fleeing conflict.

Providing protection and assistance to refugees is a binding international obligation, enshrined in treaties and customary international law.

However, it has now become a deeply polarizing, domestic political issue.

The groundbreaking Global Compact on Refugees, aimed at promoting better international responsibility sharing, is also being undermined.

We can undoubtedly do more to support host countries, enhance refugee self-reliance, and implement durable solutions.

But we cannot accept rhetoric and actions that dehumanize refugees and criminalize the right to seek safety.

Dear colleagues and friends,

I am addressing you today as the Commissioner-General of UNRWA - the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees.

UNRWA was established prior to the adoption of the 1951 Refugee Convention, as a temporary agency, mandated to provide protection and assistance to Palestine Refugees pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.

75 years later, in the absence of a political solution, UNRWA continues to provide essential public-like services, including healthcare and education, to millions of Palestine Refugees in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

In the complex operational environment of the occupied Palestinian territory, the Agency's humanitarian and human development work has come under sustained attack.

More than 380 colleagues have been killed in Gaza and more than 300 premises have been damaged or destroyed in the past two years.

Israeli domestic legislation has effectively expelled UNRWA international staff from the occupied Palestinian territory.

Fortunately, thousands of our Palestinian staff remain and can continue providing critical services to Palestine Refugees.

The pressure, however, is relentless.

Last week, Israeli police and municipal officials forcibly entered the UNRWA headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem, seizing assets and replacing the United Nations flag with an Israeli flag.

These actions are flagrant violations of the privileges and immunities of the United Nations.

They also blatantly disregard the October 2025 ruling of the International Court of Justice, which obliges Israel to agree to and facilitate UNRWA's operations.

The efforts to dismantle the Agency, and end its operations in the occupied Palestinian territory, are intended to strip Palestinians of their refugee status - outside the parameters established by the General Assembly and the Security Council for resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict.

These actions set a dangerous precedent for refugees, for humanitarians, and ultimately, for our multilateral system.

Conflicts and refugee crises cannot be resolved in defiance of international legal obligations and in pursuit of political agendas.

This only serves to erode the rules-based order that underpins effective multilateral action - and our collective safety and prosperity.

Dear colleagues and friends,

I am often asked how we should respond to the immense challenges confronting the rules-based order, of which the international legal regime on refugees is an integral part.

Is there a balance to be struck between holding firmly to legal and humanitarian principles, and pragmatic accommodation of political realities?

While compromise is a central tenet of resolving conflicts and disputes, I believe that core principles and values cannot be negotiated.

For humanitarians, our ability to provide lifesaving assistance depends on strict adherence to the principles of humanity, independence, impartiality, and neutrality.

We cannot, under any circumstances, be part of efforts that violate these principles by discriminating against people in need of assistance or politicizing human suffering.

Refugee crises, including their drivers, are deeply complex.

Effective and lasting solutions can only be found through strong and principled political action, backed by robust financial support.

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I stated at the beginning of my remarks that this is a time of profound uncertainty and insecurity.

But we do not have the luxury of despair or inaction.

We must persist in a vigorous defence of the rights and welfare of refugees - and of our common humanity and shared values.

There is too much at stake to do differently.

Thank you.