News: First Formal Consultation re. GCR

The first formal consultation since the release of the zero draft of the Global Compact on Refugees was held in Geneva on 13-14 February 2018. Here are the agenda and the opening remarks of the Assistant High Commissioner for Protection. NGO statements at the consultation are available on ICVA's web site.

This news story from the SDG Knowledge Hub provides some background and context for the consultation.

As ICVA noted in this tweet, the next steps for UNHCR before the second formal consultation (currently scheduled for 20-21 March 2018) are: "informal briefing with Member States in New York on 16 February; work on revising the zero draft based on consultations."

For some additional comments from NGOs on the zero draft, see:
- Initiative for Child Rights in the Global Compacts' Recommendations Following the Zero Draft of the Global Compact on Refugees [text]
- InterAction Refugee Policy Working Group Reaction to Zero Draft of the Global Compact on Refugees [text] [related blog post]
- NGO Reaction to the Zero Draft of the Global Compact on Refugees’ Programme of Action [text]

In addition, a panel of experts will discuss the draft at an event at the University of Ottawa on 26 February 2018.

Related post:
- Thematic Focus: Global Compact on Refugees Round-up (9 Feb. 2018)

Tagged Publications and Events & Opportunities.