UNHCR and UNDP Launch New Four-Year Partnership to Support Refugee Self-Reliance

Tokyo - The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have announced a new four-year partnership aimed at enabling forcibly displaced people to move beyond reliance on long-term humanitarian aid and rebuild their lives.

Signed by the leaders of both organizations in conjunction with the UN Chief Executives Board meeting in Tokyo, the new "Joint Collaboration Framework 2026–2030" addresses the record-high levels of global forced displacement, driven by conflict, climate change, and economic instability.

Today, approximately 117 million people globally are forcibly displaced, many of whom remain in unstable situations for years without access to stable employment, public services, or future opportunities. The protracted nature of this displacement also places severe strain on public services, economies, and social stability in host countries.

Guided by the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees and the UN Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement, UNHCR and UNDP will collaborate more closely with governments, international financial institutions, and development partners to link humanitarian protection with development investment. This partnership focuses on deploying development and climate funds in regions impacted by forced displacement to strengthen national and local institutions and expand economic opportunities.

Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: "Forced displacement today is a challenge to state stability itself for countries already under immense pressure. Through this partnership, we will support countries to move beyond immediate emergency responses by making early investments in solutions, basic services, jobs, and access to finance. This will enable refugees and host communities to rebuild their lives and build a more stable future together."

Barham Salih, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, stated, "Humanitarian aid must not end with saving lives; it is crucial that there is a future where people can rebuild their lives with dignity. In reality, far too many refugees are forced to rely on emergency assistance for years because these opportunities remain closed. Through this partnership with UNDP, UNHCR will pave the way for displaced people to be included, regain hope for self-reliance, and move towards durable solutions. This is also a significant force for the host communities."

The framework builds upon existing agreements, transitioning from a coordination-centric approach to joint strategic implementation. In priority countries, UNHCR and UNDP will integrate efforts across protection, inclusion, livelihoods, local governance, recovery, climate resilience, and resource mobilization to comprehensively promote country-led responses.

This agreement is particularly significant for host countries as international concern grows over the interlinkages between forced displacement, climate change, and economic fragility.

Japan has long led efforts in the "humanitarian-development-peace nexus," playing a crucial role in strengthening resilience in crisis-affected areas and supporting region-led recovery efforts. Consequently, the signing ceremony in Tokyo was a symbolic occasion.