I am pleased to greet this conference, and I thank Pakistan for its hospitality to one of the largest refugee populations in the world.
 
For forty years, the people of Pakistan and Iran have demonstrated admirable generosity to three generations of Afghan refugees. 
 
The international community has a duty to share this responsibility and ease the pressure on host communities, while promoting a stable future for Afghanistan and its people.
 
The Global Compact on Refugees adopted last year can help point the way.
 
We must act in solidarity to create the conditions that will allow Afghan refugees to return home to a future of peace and prosperity.
 
Thank you.