New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants
A/RES/71/1
Unity Convention governing the specific aspects of refugee problems in Africa 14 and
the Cartagena Declaration on Refugees.
67. We reaffirm respect for the institution of asylum and the right to seek asylum.
We reaffirm also respect for and adherence to the fundamental principle of
non-refoulement in accordance with international refugee law.
68. We underline the centrality of international cooperation to the refugee
protection regime. We recognize the burdens that large movements of refugees place
on national resources, especially in the case of developing countries. To address the
needs of refugees and receiving States, we commit to a mo re equitable sharing of
the burden and responsibility for hosting and supporting the world’s refugees, while
taking account of existing contributions and the differing capacities and resources
among States.
69. We believe that a comprehensive refugee response should be developed and
initiated by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in
close coordination with relevant States, including host countries, and involving
other relevant United Nations entities, for each situation involvi ng large movements
of refugees. This should involve a multi-stakeholder approach that includes national
and local authorities, international organizations, international financial institutions,
civil society partners (including faith-based organizations, diaspora organizations
and academia), the private sector, the media and refugees themselves.
A comprehensive framework of this kind is annexed to the present declaration.
70. We will ensure that refugee admission policies or arrangements are in line with
our obligations under international law. We wish to see administrative barriers
eased, with a view to accelerating refugee admission procedures to the extent
possible. We will, where appropriate, assist States to conduct early and effective
registration and documentation of refugees. We will also promote access for
children to child-appropriate procedures. At the same time, we recognize that the
ability of refugees to lodge asylum claims in the country of their choice may be
regulated, subject to the safeguard that they will have access to, and enjoyment of,
protection elsewhere.
71. We encourage the adoption of measures to facilitate access to civil registration
and documentation for refugees. We recognize in this regard the importance of early
and effective registration and documentation, as a protection tool and to facilitate
the provision of humanitarian assistance.
72. We recognize that statelessness can be a root cause of forced displacement and
that forced displacement, in turn, can lead to statelessness. We take note of the
campaign of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to
end statelessness within a decade and we encourage States to consider actions they
could take to reduce the incidence of statelessness. We encourage those States that
have not yet acceded to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless
Persons 15 and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness 16 to consider
doing so.
73. We recognize that refugee camps should be the exception and, to the e xtent
possible, a temporary measure in response to an emergency. We note that 6 0 per cent
_______________
14
Ibid., vol. 1001, No. 14691.
Ibid., vol. 360, No. 5158.
16
Ibid., vol. 989, No. 14458.
15
13/24