The situation in Afghanistan A/RES/72/10 Refugees 47. Expresses its appreciation to those Governments that continue to host Afghan refugees, in particular Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, acknowledging the huge burden they have so far shouldered in this regard, asks for continued generous support by the international community, and asks relevant international organizations, in particular the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration, to continue to work closely with Afghanistan and the countries hosting Afghan refugees with a view to facilitating their voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return, rehabilitation and reintegration; 48. Welcomes the outcome of the high-level segment on the Afghan refugee problem of the sixty-sixth session of the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, held in Geneva on 6 and 7 October 2015, 10 also welcomes the outcome of the International Conference on the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees to Support Voluntary Repatriation, Sustainable Reintegration and Assistance to Host Countries, held in Geneva on 2 and 3 May 2012, and looks forward to the further implementation of the joint communiqué of the Conference, aimed at increased sustainability of returns and continued support for host countries, through the sustained support and the directed efforts of the international community; 49. Expresses its concern over the recent increase in the number of internally displaced persons and refugees from Afghanistan, stresses that stability and development in Afghanistan can be achieved if its citizens can see a future for themselves within their country, reiterates to host countries and the international community the obligations under international refugee law with respect to the protection of refugees, the principle of voluntary return and the right to seek asylum and to ensure full, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian relief agencies in order to provide protection and assistance to internally displaced persons and refugees, and calls upon countries to continue to accept an appropriate number of Afghan refugees for resettlement, as a manifestation of their shared responsibility and solidarity; 50. Takes note of the cooperation framework signed between the Government of Afghanistan and the European Union, entitled “Joint way forward on migration issues”, and in this context underscores the i mportance of close and effective cooperation to address the problem of irregular migration in a comprehensive manner, with due focus on and consideration of addressing the root causes of migration, including through job creation and the establishment of returnees’ livelihoods in Afghanistan, and in accordance with international commitments and obligations, including the human rights and legal rights of all migrants and the rights of persons in need of international protection in line with the provisions of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees 11 and the 1967 Protocol thereto, 12 as applicable; 51. Welcomes the commitment of the Government of Afghanistan to making the repatriation and reintegration of Afghan refugees one of its highest nationa l priorities, including their voluntary, safe and dignified return and their sustainable reintegration into national development planning and prioritization processes, takes note in this regard of the accession of Afghanistan to the Protocol against the __________________ 10 11 12 17-20698 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Seventieth Session, Supplement No. 12A (A/70/12/Add.1), annex II. United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 189, No. 2545. Ibid., vol. 606, No. 8791. 11/13