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Conclusions of the Meeting of Experts on Refugee Aid and
Development (Item 7) and UNHCR's Role in Promoting Durable Solutions (Item 8)
(Document A/AC.96/627 and Corr.1)
26.
These two subjects had been included under one item in the provisional agenda but Australia's persistence forced them to be separated. In the event, however, owing to time limitations, they were taken together but interventions were few as many delegations had covered both aspects in the
General Debate.
27.
Following a Swedish suggestion earlier in the year, UNHCR had organised a seminar of experts at Mont Pelerin, Switzerland, from 29 to 31 August, to discuss the inter- relationship between refugee assistance (one of UNHCR's most /aid essential undertakings) and development/(outside UNHCR's mandate). The experts' report had stressed the need for durable solutions and for the self-sufficiency of refugees from an early stage. All speakers welcomed the seminar but advised UNHCR to be cautious in pursuing the recommendations. The main view was that, as UNHCR was not a development agency, it should do no more than act as a catalyst and a coordinator in the implementation of any development project. There must be close cooperation with the traditional development organi- sations, particularly UNDP. One specific difficulty was the notion of additionality which the experts had suggested for funding refugee development projects. UNHCR was asked to study this and to produce its own views, and those of inter- governmental organisations and NGOs before ExCom took up the topic again perhaps at an informal session during the year.
/28.
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