The number of persons displaced by various reasons such as conflicts, natural disasters and human rights violations increases everyday throughout the world. Many of these people lose their lives, live in very difficult conditions and are being targeted by transnational organized criminal networks.

We believe that it is the common responsibility of the international community to provide necessary conditions for these people to live in dignity, to create conditions that would ensure safe return to their countries and to solve the problems forcing them to seek asylum. However, we also see that the international community does not do enough on her part in this respect. We regrettably witness the rise of xenophobia, racism and discrimination against these people, who are economically and culturally enriching host countries and communities.

Turkey, as a country that opened her borders to those in need throughout her history, hosts 4 million people in the best manner, who sought shelter in her territories. Today, services we provide them in several fields, in particular health, education and access to labor market, are a guide for the international community.

Our country is also playing an active role at the international platforms for the improvement of the refugees’ rights. In this respect, we will continue to support the Global Compact on Refugees adopted by the UN General Assembly on 17 December 2018, to which we actively contributed during its preparation phase.

Turkey, as an indication of the importance she attaches to this matter, will co-chair the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva on 17-18 December 2019 that will take place within the framework of the Compact. We invite all countries and stakeholders to participate in the Forum at the highest level and to declare significant pledges for refugees at this Forum.

We wish that 20 June World Refugee Day will be an occasion for the improvement of living conditions of refugees and asylum-seekers and for the international community to show more solidarity with these people and host countries in line with equitable burden and responsibility sharing.