Syrian efugee mother hugging her son in Mafraq, Jordan

Making returns sustainable and supporting reintegration in today's world

Ended
Geneva
Alma Gladys, a Ugandan national based in Omugo Zone, Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, Northern Uganda, is a beneficiary of the Rural Employment Services Model under the ILO PROSPECTS

By June 2025, the global forcibly displaced people population stood at 117.3 million. Between January and June 2025, almost 2 million refugees and nearly 5 million internally displaced people returned to their countries and places of origin. 

These returns took place under diverse conditions, often in adverse circumstances including in contexts of fragile security, damaged infrastructure, and limited access to services and economic opportunities. Supporting voluntary, safe, and sustainable returns requires addressing these challenges, while also tackling the root causes of displacement and investing in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.

This spotlight session as part of the progress review programme will focus on advancing Objective 4 of the Global Ccompact on Refugees (GCR): Support conditions in countries of origin for return in safety and dignity.

Interpretation available: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish.

Opening remarks

Photo of Gustavo Gallon Giraldo
Gustavo Gallon Giraldo
Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Colombia

Panelists

Photo of Saad Baroud
Saad Baroud
Director, Department of International Organizations and Conferences
Photo of Nyakuma Peter Gatkuoth Riak
Nyakuma Peter Gatkuoth Riak
Founder and Director, Together South Sudan
Photo of Salomon Eheth
Salomon Eheth
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cameroon to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, Cameroon
Photo of Workneh Gebeyehu
Workneh Gebeyehu
Executive Secretary, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
Photo of Shoko Noda
Shoko Noda
Assistant Administrator and Director of the Crisis Bureau, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Photo of Indrika Ratwatte
Indrika Ratwatte
Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Afghanistan, United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan

Closing remarks

Photo of Judith Maas
Judith Maas
Head of Division, Development Approaches to Forced Displacement Division, Netherlands, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Moderator

Photo of Raouf Mazou
Raouf Mazou
Assistant High Commissioner, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)