On June 20, at the Komitas Museum-Institute, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Robert Abisoghomonyan participated and delivered remarks at the World Refugee Day event organised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Office in Yerevan.

In his remarks, the Deputy Foreign Minister noted:

“Excellences, 

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

On December 4, 2000, the United Nations General Assembly, through Resolution 55/76, decided that June 20 would be observed as World Refugee Day starting from 2001. Today, on June 20, we express our support and solidarity with all refugees.

Currently, the world is facing a number of complex challenges, ranging from ongoing conflicts and political instability to climate change, the misuse of emerging technologies, and the rise of transnational crime. These challenges create an environment where displacement becomes an exceedingly prevalent reality. Unfortunately, our region is no exception to these phenomena.

In this context, I cannot help but express my deep concern regarding the situation unfolding in Iran, which poses a threat not only to regional stability but also to global peace.

Dear attendees,

The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh was another stark example of this brutal reality. In 2023, more than 115,000 people were forced to flee their homes in search of safety and protection. These are not just statistics. We are speaking about families, women, children, and the elderly whose lives have been irrevocably changed due to violence and instability.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all international organizations, partners and donor countries that stand by Armenia in overcoming these challenges. I would particularly like to highlight the special role of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, whose involvement has been crucial in addressing the urgent needs of refugees. We commend the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the programs currently being implemented in Armenia, aimed at mitigating the impact of the refugee influx by integrating them into the development strategy of our country.

We stand resolute in our commitment to supporting refugees and advocating for their rights both nationally and internationally.

In this context, I would like to note that to meet the needs of refugees, Armenia has undertaken serious pledges at the Global Refugee Forum and has already made significant progress in fulfilling them. One of the major successes has been amending the national citizenship laws, which led to a 50% reduction in statelessness.

Armenia is also actively participating in discussions with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and in the development of a number of initiatives aimed at implementing long-term programs that will address both the humanitarian needs of refugees forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh and their integration into host communities. 

In cooperation with international partners, several conceptual documents have already been developed, specifically, “Lessons Learned Exercise on Refugee Response and Coordination” and “Operationalizing the humanitarian-development nexus in Armenia”, as well as “Inclusive Livelihoods National Framework for Refugees and Host Communities”, which outline the prospects for host communities’ responses and the integration of refugees within those communities, as well as pathways to ensure social cohesion.

At present, one of the key long-term priorities for refugees is their inclusion in Armenia’s social, cultural and economic development with full enjoyment of their social and economic rights, implementation of social housing and employment programmes, thereby shifting the focus from emergency response to long-term needs and bridging the gaps between humanitarian needs and development on integration of refugees. 

Dear guests,

The challenges we face are not insurmountable, but they require coordinated and collaborative efforts. The international community has a sacred obligation to uphold the tenets of the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, which enshrine the fundamental rights of refugees. We are guided by a mission to combat xenophobia and discrimination, fostering an environment of empathy and understanding within our societies.

I would like to quote UN Secretary-General António Guterres: “We must not look away. We must not be indifferent.” Our collective actions must lead to tangible outcomes for the benefit of those who have been forced to flee.

In conclusion, I call for unity in our determination to support refugees, recognizing that their plight is a shared challenge that requires our unwavering commitment and compassion. Together, we can pave the way for a future where every individual, regardless of their circumstances, can live with dignity, a sense of security, and hope, while making a positive contribution to the vision of development in the host society.

Thank you.”