The Annual Consultations by the UNHCR with NGOs were held in Geneva for three days from 28 to 30 September. More than 320 delegates representing over 220 NGOs and partners of the UNHCR participated in the Consultations.
At the invitation of the UNHCR, Mr. Wangchuk Tsering, head of the Tibetan Refugee Welfare Office in Kathmandu, Nepal, also participated as one of its partners.
During these three days of consultations, the delegates focused on the current situation of refugees, their security and the challenges facing the refugee community across the world. Mr. Ruud Lubbers, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees delivered the concluding address.
Mr. Wangchuk Tsering took active part in the proceedings. Among other issues, he expressed his ongoing concerns over the problems being confronted by new refugees attempting to flee from Tibet and the protracted situation of the Tibetan refugee community in Nepal, and called for resolving the problems.
While in Geneva he met with officials of the UNHCR including Mr. Ruud Lubbers, the High Commissioner for Refugees, representatives of other related Agencies and NGOs.
The Annual Consultations with NGOs will be followed by a four-day session of the UNHCR’s Executive Committee (ExCom) being held in Geneva from October 4-8, 2004.
The Executive Committee is made up of 66 countries: it reviews and approves the agency’s programmes and budgets and to advise on protection matters.
The High Commissioner reports on the results of the agency’s work annually to the UN General Assembly through the Economic and Social Council.
