United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for increased international support for countries hosting refugees, stressing that low- and middle-income nations shoulder a disproportionate share of the global refugee burden.

According to the UN’s official news service, Guterres made the remarks in a video message delivered to the second High-Level Officials Meeting reviewing progress on the Global Refugee Forum, which opened on Monday in Geneva, Switzerland, and runs through Wednesday. The meeting is being held in partnership with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Swiss government.

Guterres noted that nearly three-quarters of the world’s refugees are hosted by low- and middle-income countries, underscoring the urgent need for sustained financial, technical, and political support to ensure that host communities and refugees alike are not left behind.

He pointed to the Global Compact on Migration, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2018, describing it as a key international framework guiding collective efforts to address refugee and migration challenges in a more equitable and coordinated manner.

“We must boost refugee inclusion and self-reliance,” Guterres said, emphasizing that enabling refugees to work, study, and contribute to their host societies is “a dignified way to unlock human potential, lift up local economies, and lower dependency on aid.”

The UN chief also highlighted the importance of creating conditions for the safe and voluntary return of refugees to their home countries. He noted that around one million Syrians have returned home over the past 12 months, calling it an example of progress when security and basic services allow.

The Global Refugee Forum review meeting aims to assess commitments made by states and partners, identify gaps, and mobilize further action to improve protection, assistance, and long-term solutions for refugees worldwide. (ILKHA)