The announcement was made by the Secretary of the Estado de Igualdade e Migrações, Isabel Almeida Rodrigues, during a plenary session of the forum that took place in Geneva, Switzerland, under the auspices of the United Nations, and which constitutes the largest international meeting in the world on refugees.

She pointed out that “humanitarian crises are becoming more complex due to the armed conflicts and the devastating consequences of climate change”, continuing to support the work of the UNHCR is important, and being able to “carry out a paradigm shift” of public policies.

The commitments presented by Portugal, are to increase the resettlement quota for refugees, strengthen civil society participation mechanisms, create new centers dedicated to the integration of refugees into the job market, reform the national Portuguese learning program, adapting it to the needs of refugees and migrants, streamlining family reunification procedures, inclusion projects through sports, more financial contribution to the UNHCR, and finally, contributing financially to the Platforma Global para o Ensino Superior em Situações de Emergência.

“We are also pleased to lead alongside Brazil in the multilateral commitment on family reunification” added the Secretary of State.

Isabel Almeida Rodrigues concluded “At a national level, Portugal will continue to support around 60 thousand people who fled the war in Ukraine and sought temporary protection in our country, as well as around 1,200 Afghans”, which the country has been hosting since 2021.

The Swiss city of Geneva is hosting the II Global Refugee Forum from December 13 to December 15, the world’s largest international meeting on refugees.

Contributions to the Global Refugee Forum can take many forms, from financial, material, or technical assistance, including resettlement sites and other admission pathways in third countries, enabling better-sourced countries to share responsibility for refugees, measures to support host communities, prevent conflicts, and build peace. Organisations can commit alone or combine efforts in groups.