The second Global Refugee Forum (GRF) Progress Review concluded today at the Geneva International Conference Centre, marking a significant milestone in international cooperation for displaced populations. The three-day event, co-hosted by UNHCR and Switzerland, resulted in over 30 new high-level pledges, bringing the total number of commitments since 2019 to nearly 3,500.
The Global #RefugeeForum Progress Review reminds us what truly matters: protection, solidarity and shared responsibility.
Progress is real: stronger asylum systems, more education and jobs, thousands of pledges turning into action.
Unity and collective action deliver results. pic.twitter.com/79xpFumNsp
— Kelly T. Clements (@KellyTClements) December 15, 2025
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi closed the forum by emphasizing the resilience of international protection frameworks. “I heard here loud and clear the commitment to the international protection of refugees and the right to seek asylum,” Grandi stated. Despite a challenging financial year, he reaffirmed that the agency remains “weakened in terms of defending delivery, justice and rights.”
Several nations announced landmark commitments aimed at both immediate protection and long-term solutions:
- Syria: In a significant first, committed to supporting sustainable and voluntary refugee returns.
- Sweden: Pledged to enhance protection and local services to reduce the necessity of dangerous irregular journeys.
- Germany: Reaffirmed support for peace-building policies and national inclusion plans in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Mauritania, while pledging specific aid to Sudan and Syria.
- Host Countries: Lebanon and others provided complementary pledges to facilitate regional stability and refugee support.
The forum saw a surge in “non-traditional” support mechanisms and substantial financial commitments:
- Technology: The Swiss Cardano Foundation launched a blockchain-based Impact Exchange-Traded Product to channel investment revenues into refugee programming.
- Education: USA for UNHCR’s Women’s Committee committed $15 million for tertiary scholarships.
- Sustainability: The Grundfos Foundation pledged $3 million for solar-powered water systems via the “Project Flow” mechanism.
- Corporate Partnerships: ANTA Group renewed its “Moving for Change” initiative, while the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and Qatar Charity (committing $10 million) advanced Islamic philanthropy for refugees.
For the first time, major sports organizations integrated refugee support into their long-term calendars. World Athletics pledged to nurture athletes for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics and 2027 World Championships. Additionally, LIV Golf launched a dual investment model targeting health and education for up to one million displaced people.
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Crucially, the forum was shaped by the participation of over 250 refugees. These individuals and refugee-led organizations committed to leading the design of resettlement policies, ensuring that lived experience remains at the heart of global displacement solutions.
The Progress Review serves as the mid-point between quadrennial Global Refugee Forums. Co-convened by Colombia, France, Japan, Jordan, and Uganda, the event brought together 1,500 participants from 150 countries to advance the objectives of the 2018 Global Compact on Refugees.
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