Representative of the UNHCR in China Visits the ICC

At the invitation of the International Cooperation Center Joint Council (ICC), Sophie Marie Muller, Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in China, visited the Jianguomen office of the ICC on February 19th. Zhang Yu, Convenor of the Joint Meeting and Director of the Steering Committee, met with Sophie Muller, the newly appointed representative of UNHCR in China. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the current regional and global refugee situation, the impact of refugee issues on international politics and international relations, promoting multilateral international cooperation in refugee protection and assistance, and the international and regional issues of common concern. Both sides noted that the current global refugee situation is complex and severe. At the same time, the gap in humanitarian funding is constantly expanding. The international community must practice true multilateralism, fully carry forward the humanitarian spirit, mobilize resources from all parties, and form a powerful synergy to support multilateral institutions such as the UNHCR. The UNHCR Representative Office in China will strengthen coordination and cooperation with the International Cooperation Center to promote the improvement of humanitarian crises and implement the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

At present, transformation not seen in a century is accelerating, with frequent geopolitical conflicts, sluggish global economic recovery, and frequent natural disasters. The global refugee situation is highly complex and severe. According to the data of the UNHCR, as of May 2024, the number of global refugees and displaced persons has reached 120 million. Particularly, the refugee crises triggered by armed conflicts in regions such as Eurasia, the Middle East, Africa, and countries like Afghanistan and Myanmar have intensified, drawing high attention from the international community. For a long time, the Chinese government has been dedicated to promoting the effective cooling down and political settlement of hotspot issues, attaches great significance to international humanitarian affairs, and supports the work of the UNHCR. Both sides stated that to fundamentally address the refugee issue, all countries should maintain lasting peace, promote common development, and advocate international cooperation. The International Cooperation Center is willing to maintain close collaboration with the UNHCR's China Office, closely monitor the dynamics of global changes, leverage the ICC's advantages in forward-looking research and rich experience in crisis response, and support the UNHCR in enhancing its crisis response capabilities. Both sides will provide assistance within their capacity to refugee-hosting countries under the framework of the United Nations. Cheng Yu, Executive Secretary General of the ICC, Wu Zhonglin, Executive Director of Development Committee at the ICC; Li Sangu, Senior Government Liaison Officer of the UNHCR China Office, and Cheng Fan, Government Liaison Associate Officer of the UNHCR China Office have attended the meeting.