Consultations, Events and Meetings
Highlighted Event
Presentation of the Report of the High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement to the UN Secretary-General
29 September 2021, Virtual
The event marks the formal submission of the report of the High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement to the UN Secretary-General by Panel Co-chairs Federica Mogherini and Donald Kaberuka, concluding an 18-month process that the Panel undertook following its appointment by the SG last year.
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Follow Ups
On 29 September 2021, the High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement submitted its report to the UN Secretary-General. Below are events and consultations dedicated to engaging stakeholders on the report's recommendations and follow-ups following the submission.
Dedicated briefing and consultation with Member States on the High-Level Panel's report
9 November 2021, Virtual
More than 50 Member States participated in the consultation on the Panel's recommendations and follow-ups, organized by the Panel's Secretariat in collaboration with the Co-chairs of the "Group of Friends" Member States.
GP2.0 Event: Advancing Durable Solutions in light of the Report of the UN SG's High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement
3 November 2021, Virtual
States, UN agencies, NGOs, the World Bank and displaced communities discussed the Panel's recommendations and follow-ups in a GP2.0 event co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN in New York.
Secretariat meeting with States impacted by large-scale internal displacement
2 November 2021, Geneva
The Secretariat held a meeting with States that are currently dealing with or have had experience of large scale internal displacement to gather their reactions and feedback on the Panel’s report and recommendations and discuss the developments taking place with particular reference to follow-ups. The meeting was attended by 19 States including seven at the Permanent Representative level.
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Read country statements
Past Panel Meetings
11th Panel Meeting
2 September 2021, Virtual
Today, the Panel held its last meeting ahead of its report launch at the end of September. With the number of IDPs continuing to spiral all-time high, the Panel will call for resolute attention and action to unlock solutions to internal displacement.
10th Panel meeting
Virtual, 5 August 2021
Today, the Panel drew together its work towards finalization, after 17 months of extensive consultations.
9th Panel meeting: The run to the finish
Virtual, 9 June 2021
Over the last 15 months, the Panel has heard the voices of IDPs, host communities, States, UN entities, NGOs, the private sector, IFIs, academia, among other stakeholders, during its consultative process. Panel members convened for the 9th time today to review and consolidate its evolving conclusions and recommendations.
8th Panel meeting: Building towards the conclusions
Virtual, 26 March 2021
With five months to go to completion of its mandate, the Panel reviewed comprehensively the analysis, conclusions and recommendations it is formulating for its report to the UN Secretary-General. In its eighth meeting held on March 26, Panel members exchanged their thoughts on the emerging recommendations, drawing from the body of research, submissions and consultation results collected over the past 13 months. The Panel is expected to hold its next meeting in June 2021.
7th Panel meeting: Panel drives to conclusion of its work in first meeting of new year
Virtual, 21 January 2021
In its first meeting of the new year, the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement discussed the ways forward in consolidating its work towards the conclusion.
6th Panel meeting: Voices of IDPs and host communities are heard by the Panel
Virtual, 25 November 2020
The voices of the internally displaced and host communities are at the heart of the Panel’s work. At its 6th meeting, held on November 25, the Panel received and undertook an initial review of the results of the consultations with IDPs and host communities, and the issues standing out in them.
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Click here to learn more about the consultations with IDPs and host communities
5th Panel meeting: Panel members concludes on action points on thematic priorities and report outline
Virtual, 29 October 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic may be a disruptor worldwide but it has not slowed down the Panel’s commitment to addressing the global internal displacement crisis. While physically separated, Panel members convened for the fifth time this year on 29 October 2020, connecting virtually from Afghanistan, Belgium, Colombia, Ethiopia, Jordan, Rwanda, South Sudan and Switzerland. The three-hour meeting began with opening remarks delivered by Co-Chair Donald Kaberuka and Co-Chair Federica Mogherini. This was quickly followed by core discussions on the follow-up action points gathered from the fourth Panel Meeting.
Among the topics on the table were the thematic priorities of the Panel’s process, the incoming results of consultations with IDPs and host communities as well as the draft of the report outline. Since the last meeting, the Panel has received 14 additional submissions, including from affected states, amounting to 92 total submissions.
Click here to view all submissions
4th Panel meeting: Panel members convene following extension granted by UN Secretary-General
Virtual, 27 August 2020
On 27 August 2020, Panel members met for the fourth time this year following the announcement of the Panel's timeline extension, shifting its new report deadline to September 2021. In the meeting, Panel members expressed their gratitude to the UN Secretary-General for granting this extension in light of the constraints imposed by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Among other topics discussed in the meeting were updates on the thematic workstreams and the Panel's workplan.
3rd Panel meeting: Panel explores six priority themes to guide its work
Virtual, 18-19 June 2020
The third Panel meeting took place virtually on 18-19 June 2020. The Panel undertook a more in-depth discussion of the workstreams, receiving updates from the Secretariat and Expert Advisory Group on pieces of research that are underway. With regards to the workstreams, the Panel is exploring in-depth six main thems: 1) political will and capacity, 2) prevention, 3) integrated approaches to solutions, 4) innovative financing, 5) the private sector, 6) data and evidence. Further to this, the Panel also received an update on the efforts to launch the consultations with IDPs and host communities on the ground in the meeting.
2nd Panel meeting: OCHA chief meets with Panel in light of growing pandemic
Virtual, 3-4 June 2020
Although COVID19 has affected the ways of working, the Panel continues to strive towards delivering its mandated report. On 3-4 June 2020, the Panel, along with its Expert Advisory Group and Secretariat, met virtually in order to take stock of the work so far including the submissions received from stakeholders such as UN Member States, UN agencies, NGOs and research institutions. They were joined by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, who delivered the opening remarks.
The Panel also discussed the progress made under the different workstreams as well as the impacts of COVID-19 on internally displaced persons and the Panel's work. A seven-month extension of the mandate has been requested by the Panel's Co-Chairs in light of the growing pandemic.
Inaugural Panel meeting: UN Secretary-General inaugurates work of High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement
Geneva, Switzerland, 25 February 2020
United Nations’ Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on the international community to face up to the devastating and complex issue of internal displacement as he opened the inaugural meeting of a new High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement in Geneva, Switzerland on 25 February 2020.
Past Consultations
Dedicated consultation with States impacted by internal displacement
29 July 2021, Virtual
The Panel held a dedicated consultation on its emerging recommendations with 20 Member States impacted by internal displacement. The meeting was opened by H.E. Nasir Andisha, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations in Geneva, and chaired by Panel Co-chair Donald Kaberuka.
AGD roundtable on the Panel's recommendations
22 July 2021, Virtual
A group of States, NGOs and UN agencies shared their reflections on the Panel's emerging recommendations from an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) lens in a roundtable co-hosted by the Danish Mission in Geneva, the Danish Refugee Council, Plan International, Save the Children, and the Women’s Refugee Commission, building on the multi-stakeholder AGD submission to the Panel and the AGD dialogue held in November 2020. The meeting saw the participation of Panel member Sima Samar, who delivered the opening remarks, and Secretariat members.
Development roundtable
30 June 2021, Virtual
Representatives of States, UN agencies and IFIs voiced their reflections on how to effectively promote the role of local, national and development actors on solutions for IDPs in a Development Roundtable convened by UNDP to inform the on-going work of the Panel.
Roundtable with NGOs and other stakeholders: Realizing national accountability and international responsibility
3 June 2021, Virtual
With the support of Plan International, World Vision and ICVA, the Panel held a roundtable today with NGOs, IFRC and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of IDPs on realizing national accountability and international responsibility to address internal displacement.
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Consultation with former IDPs in Rumbek, South Sudan
2 June 2021, Virtual
With the support of ICRC, Panel members met with former IDPs in Rumbek, South Sudan to hear and learn from their experiences of displacement in a semi-virtual consultation. Panel member Pauline Riak, who was physically present in the consultation, delivered the opening remarks. The meeting was attended virtually by Panel members Paula Gaviria Betancur and Sima Samar as well as Expert Advisory Group member Walter Kaelin.
Read article about consultation
Roundtable: Realising a quality, inclusive and safe education for internally displaced children and youth
12 May 2021, Virtual
The Panel participated in a roundtable with teachers and a government representative co-hosted by the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE), Save the Children, the Global Education Cluster and the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) to discuss the challenges, good practices and recommendations for delivering quality, safe and inclusive education for internally displaced children and youth. The Panel was represented by Panel members Paula Gaviria Betancur, Nasser Judeh, Pauline Riak, Sima Samar and Expert Advisory Group member Beth Ferris.
Download Event Report
Download Save the Children's Report
Download INEE's Report
Displacement in Times of Disasters and Climate Change: Consultation on Coordination for Solutions and Financing
11 May 2021, Virtual
This joint consultation brought together the"Group of Friends" Member States of the Panel and the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD) to discuss coordination for solutions to disaster and climate induced internal displacement and financing. Panel memeber Mitiku Kassa Gutile opened and closed the event while Expert Advisory Group member Walter Kaelin, who also serves as the Envoy of the Chair of PDD, delivered the summary remarks. The consultation was co-hosted by the Co-chairs of the "Group of Friends" of the Panel and the PDD: the Permanent Missions of Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Mali, Morocco, Norway and the Delegation of the EU based in Geneva and New York.
Roundtable: Leadership and Coordination for Solutions to Internal Displacement
5 May 2021, Virtual
The Panel held a roundtable on coordination for solutions with States, UN agencies and NGOs to discuss three themes: 1) Role of the UN Resident Coordinators and solutions coordination model, 2) Solutions strategies and appeals, and 3) System performance management on internal displacement.
Roundtable: Financing for Solutions to Internal Displacement
29 April 2021, Virtual
Member States, IFIs, UN agencies and NGOs shared their reflections and inputs on catalytic financing and long-term funding in the Financing for Solutions roundtable, organized by the Secretariat of the Panel. The meeting was opened by Panel Co-chair Donald Kaberuka and closed by Expert Advisory Group member Walter Kaelin.
Consultation with the Vice Mayor and municipality administration members of San Pedro Sula, Honduras
22 April 2021, Virtual
Panel member Paula Gaviria Betancur consulted with the Vice Mayor and municipality administration members of San Pedro Sula, Honduras on their urban displacement response. This meeting concludes the series of urban displacement consultations co-hosted by UN-Habitat, the Joint IDP Profiling Service (JIPS), the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the Secretariat of the Panel.
Internal Displacement in an Increasingly Urbanized World: Challenges and Opportunities
19 April 2021, Virtual
Co-hosted by UN-Habitat, the Joint IDP Profiling Service (JIPS), the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the Secretariat of the Panel, this online event builds on the series of urban displacement consultations with local and municipal authorities in Burkina Faso, Colombia, Iraq, Somalia and Ukraine to inform the Panel on the challenges and opportunities of internal displacement in urban contexts.
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Read event report
Read article about event
Consultation with the Benadir Durable Solutions Unit of Somalia
8 April 2021, Virtual
The Panel met with representatives from the Benadir Durable Solutions Unit to learn about the Somali government-led efforts in adressing urban displacement in Mogadishu as part of the series of urban displacement consultations co-hosted by UN-Habitat, the Joint IDP Profiling Service (JIPS), the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the Secretariat of the Panel. The Panel was represented by Panel members Paula Gaviria Betancur and Sima Samar, and Expert Advisory Group members Alexandra Bilak and Walter Kaelin.
Consultation with regional authorities and IDP representative from Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine
31 March 2021, Virtual
Panel members Pauline Riak and Simar Samar, and Expert Advisory Group members Alexandra Bilak and Walter Kaelin, met with regional authorities and an IDP representative from Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine to learn about the oblast's displacement response including the work of the Luhansk IDP Council. This discussion was part of a series of local consultations co-hosted by UN-Habitat, the Joint IDP Profiling Service (JIPS), the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the Secretariat of the Panel.
Consultation with the Mayor of Mosul, Iraq
29 March 2021, Virtual
Panel members Pauline Riak and Sima Samar, and Expert Advisory Group member Walter Kaelin, met with Zuhair Al-Araji, Mayor of Mosul, to learn about the city's response in addressing the needs of urban IDPs. This discussion was part of a series of local consultations co-hosted by UN-Habitat, the Joint IDP Profiling Service (JIPS), the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the Secretariat of the Panel.
Consultation on the city of Medellín’s response to internal displacement
23 March 2021, Virtual
The city of Medellín has been at the forefront of Colombia's response to internal displacement. Panel member Paula Gaviria Betancur met with representatives from the Municipality of Medellín and Colombia's Victims' Unit to learn from the city's response in addressing the needs of urban internally displaced persons. This discussion was part of a series of local consultations co-hosted by UN-Habitat, the Joint IDP Profiling Service (JIPS), the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the Secretariat of the Panel.
Consultation with donor governments of internal displacement responses
16 March 2021, Virtual
The Panel held a consultation with donor governments of internal displacement responses to discuss three overarching themes: 1) financing for solutions, 2) effective humanitarian response to internal displacement, and 3) coordination for solutions. The Panel was represented by Co-chair Donald Kaberuka, who delivered the opening and closing remarks, Panel member Sima Samar and Expert Advisory Group members Beth Ferris and Walter Kaelin.
Consultation on peace and security dimensions of internal displacement
11 March 2021, Virtual
The Panel has met with Member States and relevant experts based in New York to discuss how peace and security can be incorporated more centrally into action on solutions to internal displacement. The consultation, organized by the Secretariat of the Panel with the support of the Co-Chairs of the New York "Group of Friends," aims to assist the Panel in its thinking and possible recommendations on this issue.
Urban displacement consultation with mayors from Burkina Faso
26 February 2021, Ouagadougou/Virtual
In a semi-virtual consultation on February 26, four mayors from Burkina Faso shared with the Panel their experiences in addressing the needs of IDPs and host communities in urban contexts. The discussion was the first in a series of local consultations co-hosted by UN-Habitat, the Joint IDP Profiling Service (JIPS), the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the Secretariat of the Panel.
Pacific Regional Consultation on Internal Displacement
11 February 2021, Suva/Virtual
Co-organized by the Pacific Resilience Partnership (PRP)’s Technical Working Group (TWG) on Human Mobility and the Secretariat of the Panel, this virtual consultation saw the participation of Pacific government officials as they exchanged their country experiences in addressing climate and disaster-induced internal displacement.
The meeting was opened by H.E. Frank Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji, and moderated by H.E. Tregor Albon Ishoda, Ambassador of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to Fiji. The Panel was represented by Panel member Nasser Judeh and Expert Advisory Group member Walter Kaelin.
Resources:
- Read Executive Summary
- Watch recording
- Watch key messages video
- Read joint press release
- Concept Note
Data roundtable discussion
Virtual, 5 February 2021
A virtual roundtable on “The Role of Data in Supporting State Commitment and Capacity on Internal Displacement” was held on February 5 to test and sharpen the Panel’s emerging recommendations. Panel members Per Heggenes, who delivered the opening remarks, and Sima Samar participated in the event joined by Expert Advisory Group members Alexandra Bilak and Beth Ferris.
Resources:
AGD and Internal Displacement Dialogue
Virtual, 24 November 2020
This first AGD dialogue in the series, co-hosted by the Government of Canada, Plan International, Save the Children and the Women’s Refugee Commission, sought to identify concrete recommendations for the Panel which ensures the rights of different groups of internally displaced persons are respected and their needs met, based on their age, gender, and diversity, including disability. The event was co-sponsored by the Government of Australia, Denmark and Norway, and the Global Campaign for Equal Nationality Rights, the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) and Oxfam.
Managing risk and addressing disaster displacement: Challenges, effective practices and solutions in Asia
Virtual, 19 November 2020
Organized under the leadership of the Regional Disaster Displacement Working Group for Asia and the Pacific (DDWG), co-chaired by IOM and UNDRR, this consultation saw participants joining virtually across the globe to hear from and engage with Asian government representatives on their country experiences and lessons learned. The Panel was represented by Panel member Sima Samar and Expert Advisory Group member Walter Kaelin.
Resources:
Panel meeting on the integration of IDPs in Adama, Ethiopia
Virtual, 15 October 2020
With the support of Cities Alliance, the Secretariat of the Panel has jointly organized a webinar on the integration of IDPs in Adama, Ethiopia, to better understand the challenges faced by cities in accomodating IDPs in the short- and long-term and how city administrators are able to overcome them. The meeting saw the participation of Panel members (Paula Gaviria Betancur, Pauline Riak, Per Heggenes and Sima Samar) and the Panel's Expert Advisory Group member, Walter Kaelin.
Thematic consultation with multilateral development banks on solutions and financing
Virtual, 17 September 2020
The Panel sought to hear the views of multilateral development banks (MDBs) on how development financing institutions can support solutions to internal displacement. Among the participants were Panel Co-chair Donald Kaberuka, who opened the meeting, and representatives from the Islamic Development Bank, the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, and the World Bank.
GP20 Middle East and North Africa regional exchange on preventing and addressing internal displacement
Virtual, 7 July 2020
This virtual regional exchange, organized by the GP20 initiative, saw government officials from Iraq, Libya, and Yemen presenting examples of multi-stakeholder good practice on preventing and addressing internal displacement. Panel members Nasser Judeh and Sima Samar also delivered interventions in the meeting. A set of key recommendations was shared with the Panel as part of its consultative process.
Panel discussion on preventing internal displacement due to armed conflict/violence and disasters
Virtual, 06 July 2020
The Panel, in collaboration with IFRC and ICRC, organized a discussion on the prevention of internal displacement due to armed conflict/violence and disasters with the aim to identify gaps in the actions of states, civil society and the international community in prevention, and highlight promising and scalable good practices and to make concrete recommendations for the Panel’s consideration.
Resources:
GP20 Latin America regional exchange on preventing and addressing internal displacement
Virtual, 25 June 2020
Among the outputs from this technical-level exchange, convened by the GP20 initiative and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, were recommendations for the Panel. Panel member Paula Gaviria Betancur participated in the meeting and delivered the concluding remarks.
Past External Meetings
Briefings with principals of UN agencies and NGOs
Virtual, November 2020 - September 2021
The Secretariat has briefed updates of the Panel's work to the principals of FAO, ICRC, ICVA, IFRC, InterAction, ILO, IOM, DPO, DPPA, NRC, OCHA, OECD, UN DESA, UNDP, UNDRR, UNFCCC, UNFPA, UN-Habitat, UNHCR, UNICEF and WFP, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of IDPs.
Panel meeting with "Group of Friends" Member States
27 September 2021, Virtual
The voices of States, including those impacted by internal displacement, have been pivotal in the process of the Panel. Today, the Panel, represented by member Nasser Judeh, held its last meeting with the "Group of Friends" Member States.
Secretariat briefing with NGOs
21 September 2021, Virtual
With the support of ICVA and InterAction, the Panel held a meeting today with more than 30 NGOs and others to discuss possible actions and ways forward in sustaining a global momentum on internal displacement following the conclusion of the Panel's mandate.
Panel participation in webinar on "Achieving Quality Education for Internally Displaced Children and Young People"
14 July 2021, Virtual
Panel member Sima Samar was a speaker in a webinar on "Achieving Quality Education for Internally Displaced Children and Young People," co-hosted by Save the Children and the Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE).
Secretariat briefing with NGOs
12 July 2021, Virtual
With the support of InterAction, the Panel's Secretariat held a briefing with representatives from more than 20 NGOs to discuss the Panel's emerging recommendations.
Meeting between Panel's Co-chairs, the U.S. Department of State and USAID
8 July 2021, Virtual
Panel Co-chairs Federica Mogherini and Donald Kaberuka discussed the Panel's on-going work with representatives from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance as well the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) and the Bureau of International Organization Affairs (IO) of the US Department of State in a virtual meeting.
Secretariat meeting with the Panel's "Group of Friends" Member States
2 July 2021, Virtual
Member States, based in Geneva and New York, exchanged their views on the emerging recommendations of the Panel in this Secretariat meeting with the Panel's "Group of Friends" (GOF), chaired by H.E. Nasir Andisha, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations in Geneva. Afghanistan serves as one of the GOF Co-chairs in Geneva together with Norway and Ethiopia.
Global report launch: “Towards Development Solutions to Internal Displacement: A Political Economy Approach”
9 June 2021, Virtual
A new report, “Towards Development Solutions to Internal Displacement: A Political Economy Approach," produced by UNDP and SOAS, was launched in a virtual event opened by Panel member Nasser Judeh and UN Assistant Secretary-General Asako Okai, Director of UNDP's Crisis Bureau. The report also serves as part of UNDP's submission to the Panel. In the event, research findings and recommendations were presented by the lead author, Professor Laura Hammond of SOAS, followed by remarks delivered by H. E. Ambassador Dr Nasir Andisha of Afghanistan, H. E. Ambassador Tamim M. Baiou of Libya and Denise Brown, UN Resident Coordinator in Central African Republic. The launch event was co-organized by UNDP, SOAS and the Secretariat of the Panel.
Panel meeting with the Minister for International Development Cooperation of Sweden
1 June 2021, Virtual
Panel Co-chairs Federica Mogherini and Donald Kaberuka met with H.E. Per Olsson Fridh, Minister for International Development Cooperation of Sweden, to discuss the Panel's work in advancing support for durable solutions and the visibility of IDPs globally. They also reiterated the Panel's appreciation for the continual support of Sweden.
Secretariat meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of IDPs
1 June 2021, Virtual
The Secretariat had a catch-up call with Cecilia Jimenez-Damary, UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of IDPs, to discuss the on-going work of the Panel and its emerging conclusions.
Panel meeting with the World Bank - Climate Change and Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery
18 May 2021, Virtual
Panel members Paula Gaviria Betancur and Sima Samar, and Expert Advisory Group members Beth Ferris and Walter Kaelin, met with World Bank experts to discuss the Panel's on-going work and exchange reflections and insights, drawing from the World Bank's experiences in addressing climate change and disaster-induced internal displacement.
Panel meeting with the Vice-Minister for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights of Mexico
3 May 2021, Virtual
Panel member Paula Gaviria Betancur met with H.E. Martha Delgado Peralta, Vice-Minister for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights of Mexico, to discuss the positive developments, challenges and lessons of Mexico in preventing and addressing internal displacement.
Secretariat discussion with UN agencies
31 March 2021, Virtual
The Secretariat of the Panel reviewed the Panel's on-going work with 14 UN agencies in building its recommendations.
Secretariat discussion with NGOs and civil society organizations
25 March 2021, Virtual
The Secretariat of the Panel held a discussion with nearly 30 NGOs and civil society organizations on the Panel's progress. The meeting was hosted by the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA).
Panel meeting with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) and its partners
Virtual, 16 March 2021
Panel member Per Heggenes and Expert Advisory Group member Walter Kaelin met with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) and its partners to learn from the experiences of social enterprises and businesses to support IDPs and host communities in the Philippines.
Aswan Forum
Virtual, 3 March 2021
The Head of the Panel's Secretariat, George Okoth-Obbo, was a panelist in the Aswan Forum's session on "Addressing Forced Displacement in National Planning and Peace Processes: Localizing the Paradigm Shift to Prevention in Africa."
Panel meeting with USAID on private sector engagement
Virtual, 22 February 2021
Panel members Per Heggenes and Paula Gaviria Betancur, joined by Expert Advisory Group member Walter Kaelin and the Secretariat, had an exchange with USAID on various private sector engagement projects on the ground.
Panel meeting with Africa Group Permanent Representatives
Virtual, 16 February 2021
Panel member Pauline Riak, joined by Expert Advisory Group member Chaloka Beyani and the Secretariat, met with the Permanent Representatives of the Africa Group countries in Geneva. The Group, chaired by the Permanent Representative of Gabon, shared their feedback on the Panel’s priority themes, conclusions and emerging recommendations.
Event on "Supporting Nationally Owned Durable Solutions Processes"
Virtual, 10 February 2021
The European Union and the Secretariat of the Panel co-hosted an online event on solutions and internal displacement, featuring three sessions on nationally-owned solutions processes, coordinating for solutions and financing for solutions. The event was opened by Panel Co-chair Federica Mogherini while Expert Advisory Group member Beth Ferris delivered remarks in the concluding session.
Resources:
Launch of the RSQ Special Issue: ‘Why Do We Need New Research on Internal Displacement?’
Virtual, 21 January 2021
This virtual event, hosted by the Internal Displacement Research Programme (IDRP), launched the Special Issue on ‘Improving Attention to Internal Displacement Globally’ – with over 20 original peer-reviewed articles published free online by the Refugee Survey Quarterly (RSQ) journal. Two Secretariat members of the Panel, Greta Zeender (Head of Research and Outcomes) and Mark Yarnell (Research and Outcomes Officer), served as its guest editors.
Resources:
Global Conference: 70 Years of Protecting People Forced to Flee
Virtual, 18 January 2021
Expert Advisory Group member Elizebeth Ferris delivered welcoming remarks at the Global Conference, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Statute of UNHCR.
Panel meeting with the “Group of Friends” Member States
Virtual, 18 December 2020
Panel members Mitiku Kassa Gutile and Paula Gaviria Betancur met with the "Group of Friends" Member States (Permanent Missions of UN Member States based in Geneva and New York) to discuss the Panel's work. The meeting was chaired by the Permanent Mission of Afghanistan to the United Nations Office in Geneva.
Third session of Cities Alliance and UN-Habitat Series on Forced Migration in Cities
Virtual, 10 December 2020
The Secretariat's Head of Research and Outcomes, Greta Zeender, presented the Panel's work in the Urban Thinkers Campus session on IDPs in urban settings.
Read the event summary by Cities Alliance
Panel meeting with the Deputy Ministers of Ukraine
Virtual, 4 December 2020
Panel Co-chair Federica Mogherini and Panel members Nasser Judeh and Sima Samar met Inna Golovanchuk, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories and IDPs, and Vitaliy Muzychenko, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Social Policy, who spoke of their country’s response including the progress which has been achieved and the challenges which remain to be addressed in the search for sustainable solutions to internal displacement.
Panel meeting with the President of Afghanistan
Virtual, 3 December 2020
As part of its engagement with the leadership of displacement-affected states, Panel Co-chair Federica Mogherini and Panel members Nasser Judeh and Sima Samar met virtually with the President of Afghanistan, H.E. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani. Drawing from Afghanistan’s experiences, H.E. Ghani shared his reflections on the realities of internal displacement and how challenges could be tackled as national priorities in particular with respect to prevention and solutions.
Intersessional seminar on human rights and internally displaced persons
Virtual, 29 October 2020
Panel Co-chair Federica Mogherini was among the speakers to open a Human Rights Council’s seminar on IDPs. The event marked the 20th anniversary of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and brought together Member States and other stakeholders to follow up on the GP20 Plan of Action.
Read the opening statement of Co-Chair Mogherini
Why gender matters to internal displacement
Virtual, 26 October 2020
Panel member Sima Samar and Expert Advisory Group member Beth Ferris presented in a webinar on “Why gender matters to internal displacement,” organized by the Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG) at ODI.
Online Side event on the Thematic Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons to the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly at its 75th Session
Virtual, 20 October 2020
In her thematic Report to the Third Committee of the General Assembly at its 75th Session, the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, Cecilia Jimenez-Damary, draws attention to the particular challenges posed by internal displacement in the context of the slow-onset adverse effects of climate change, and its impacts on the enjoyment of the human rights of those affected. The event saw the participation of the Head of the Panel's Secretariat, George Okoth-Obbo, among other speakers.
GP20 webinar on peacebuilding and internal forced displacement
Virtual, 6 October 2020
Panel Member Paula Gaviria Betancur presented in a webinar on "Peacebuilding and Internal Forced Displacement: Victims Reparation and Inclusion in the Context of Colombia’s Peace Process”, organized by the GP20 initiative, UNHCR, IOM and UNDP.
UN Economic and Social Council Humanitarian Affairs Segment
Virtual, 11 June 2020
Panel Co-chair Federica Mogherini was among the panelists at the 2020 ECOSOC Segment on “Mobilizing action to improve humanitarian assistance for internally displaced persons and achieve durable solutions.”
Webinar on ensuring life-saving assistance and longer-term support to IDPs in the face of COVID-19
Virtual, 6 June 2020
The Panel, together with the EU Delegation in Geneva, convened a webinar to gather international perspectives and voices from the field, highlighting the importance of protection and the humanitarian-development approaches in support of IDPs and host communities.
Secretariat discussion with UN agencies
Virtual, 8 April 2020
The Secretariat of the Panel was joined by 30 participants from 17 UN Agencies and Departments in an online discussion on the Panel’s work to debrief on the planned workstreams and COVID-19 adaptation plan.
Secretariat discussion with NGOs
Virtual, 19 March 2020
With the support of ICVA, InterAction, SCHR, and other NGO networks, the Secretariat of the Panel participated in an online discussion with NGO representatives from across the globe.
Secretariat briefing to "Groups of Friends" Member States
Geneva, Switzerland and New York, USA, 5 March 2020
The Secretariat of the Panel delivered a briefing to the "Groups of Friends" in New York and Geneva. The "Groups of Friends" are composed of representatives from the Permanent Missions of Member States, chaired by Norway and Mali in New York, and Norway, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan in Geneva.
Panel meeting with stakeholders
Geneva, Switzerland, 25 February 2020
On the margins of the first Panel meeting, a joint discussion was held between the Panel members and representatives from UN agencies and civil society to hear their views on priority issues for the Panel’s consideration.
First Panel meeting with "Group of Friends" Member States
Geneva, Switzerland, 25 February 2020
The Panel held its first meeting with the Permanent Missions of UN Members States through a mechanism of the Panel process called the “Group of Friends”.