Chairperson
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr Antonio Guterres
Honourable Ministers
Excellencies
Distinguished Delegates
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is an honour for me to address you today, on behalf of South Africa during this 62nd session of the Executive Committee Meeting of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Our delegation would like to assure you of our full co-operation during this session of the Executive Committee while also aligning ourselves with the statement delivered on behalf of the Africa Group by the Kingdom of Lesotho.
We commend the UNHCR, under the leadership of Mr Guterres, for consistently expending every effort to assist vulnerable refugee populations around the world. It is significant that in this year, in which the international community commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Refugee Convention of 1951, it has become apparent that the reasons for the establishment of the UNHCR are as pertinent today as they were in 1951. Today, we must recognise that the international community has to act in concert and take collective responsibility for the displaced amongst us.
It is of great concern that we continue to experience political turbulence around the world. We particularly commend the UNHCR for its efforts to assist the vulnerable and displaced in North Africa and Somalia.
Mr Chairperson
South Africa remains the highest destination country for asylum seekers in the world. A large proportion of those who claim refuge within our shores, are fleeing the indignity of statelessness and political persecution but many come seeking better economic prospects.
It is within this context that my government has undertaken a wide-ranging overhaul of the legislation governing our domestic response to securing the rights of asylum seekers and refugees. This has included, amongst others, the development of a policy to separate economic migrants from genuine asylum seekers.
Last year we reported to this Committee our intention to document one of the largest economic migrant populations in our country – Zimbabweans. This process is aimed at ensuring that these individuals are able to stay in our country without the constant threat of arrest and deportation. We have thus far dispatched permits to just over 145 000 applicants while we await the submission of passports and other outstanding documentation to enable the conclusion of this special dispensation.
It is further incumbent upon us in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, to adopt and implement a regional approach to issues of migration, while simultaneously entering into bilateral arrangements among ourselves.
Mr Chairperson
In a few months, South Africa will be hosting the 17th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). As countries grapple with the challenges related to reaching a legally binding agreement on climate change, it cannot escape us that changing climatic conditions are beginning to impact on all aspects of life including agricultural production and food security.
Mr Chairperson
We look forward to welcoming delegations of the world to our country in November this year where they will endeavour to find sustainable solutions to this global crisis. We once again assure you chairperson of our support and our commitment as a country to meet our obligations in the spirit of human solidarity and hospitality.
The government of South Africa today reiterates its commitment to working with the UNHCR to find durable solutions for displaced persons.
I thank you.
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