08 Oct 2023 | The Netherlands has been elected chair of the Executive Board of the UNHCR, the United Nations’ refugee agency.

The UNHCR member states voted in Geneva on 5 October. In his first speech in the capacity of chair, the Dutch ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva said that the Netherlands plans to use this year to draw special attention to human rights in general, and those of refugees in particular.

The Netherlands will work to ensure refugees and displaced persons are given better protection and to seek sustainable solutions and exit strategies for long-term refugee situations.

The Netherlands is the fifth biggest donor to UNHCR and has already contributed more than €72 million to the agency this year alone.