UN Common Pledge

The UN common pledge 2.0 is a renewal of the 2019 UN common pledge, and will be announced at the GRF 2023. It consists of 1 overarching pledge, made by the UN family, to progress refugees’ inclusion. Under this one pledge different UN entities and UNCTs will list measurable commitments that support the overarching goal of the pledge.

The Common Pledge 2.0 is an opportunity for the UN entities who participated actively in the 2019 UN Common Pledge (for example in the 2021 stocktaking on the pledge), and others who would like to newly commit to facilitating refugees’ inclusion in UN response plans and in national systems. Through the pledge UN Country Teams (UNCTs) and UN entities at the global level can showcase and generate support for concrete actions that they will take to advance refugees’ inclusion.  

The Common Pledge 2.0 speaks to a particular opportunity opened by the suite of inclusive policy pledges that many refugee hosting countries made at the Global Refugee Forum 2019. Some of these pledges remain in progress pending greater technical, programmatic, and financial support from the international community. Concerted UN support will help to accelerate realisation of these pledges from 2019. 

The primary objective of the UN Common Pledge 2.0 is to achieve measurably improved access to strengthened national service for refugees, thereby contributing to the achievement of sustainable and dignified living standards for refugees and the communities that host them. Inclusion therefore plays a central role, which is complementary to the often humanitarian-focused support provided to refugees.   

The pledge also aims to secure a strengthened, and more predictable whole-of-UN collective and coherent approach in refugee situations, to ensure that refugees are not left behind. Through a Resident Coordinator led, coherent and coordinated effort, the whole UN Country Team (UNCT) can help to ensure that refugees are not left behind in the effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

Finally, the Common Pledge has the potential to generate learning from a wide stakeholder group including UNCTs, donors, refugees, and refugee-hosting countries, on what works to progress refugee inclusion. This can be harvested and shared through monitoring, stocktaking and other mechanisms during the four-year lifetime of the pledge.  

One of the key strengths of the UN common pledge 2.0 is that it builds on the gains already made under the 2019 UN Common Pledge. It also benefits from the learning from that experience.  

With the addition of a country-level component, the pledge will leverage the suite of capacities and expertise of UN Country teams (UNCTs). The 2023 pledge will also benefit from the use of measurable targets for each of the commitments made by UN entities and UNCTs under the pledge.  

Finally, the co-creation process for the 2023 pledge brings in important additional stakeholder groups, including refugees, host governments, the World Bank and donors. 

Inclusion of refugees in this context refers to:

1. The inclusion of concrete activities supporting refugees in UN (individual and inter-agency response) plans, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs), Refugee Response Plans (RRPs), Humanitarian Needs Overviews (HNOs) and Humanitarian Response Plans (HRP)¹; and
2. Inclusion of refugees in the national datasets, budgets, development plans and service delivery systems of the host country, often summarised as ‘inclusion of refugees in national systems.’

The second type of inclusion is achieved when, for example, refugees are included in the national census, refugee children attend local schools, refugees can access social protection on a par with nationals, etcetera.

The multiple commitments from UNCTs and UN entities under the pledge cover the full range of Sustainable Development Goals. However, there are some key thematic areas that are particularly strongly emphasized. These include: Reduced inequalities, Quality Education, Good Health and Well-being, Gender Equality, Decent work and Social protection.

Guidance on the kinds of commitments that UN entities can formulate under the pledge is available through the dedicated guidance document.

As for UNCTs, the process for UN entities at the global level to develop commitments will include evolving drafts and feedback from other stakeholders involved in co-creating the whole pledge, such as other UN entities, UNCTs, and an expert group of refugees supporting the process. 

A template for submission of commitments was shared with participating entities in February 2023, and first drafts of commitments were submitted throughout May and June 2023. A peer review took place throughout June and July, and final commitments were submitted between August and October.  

The primary focus of the UN common pledge 2.0 is refugees. However, commitments under the pledge can be inclusive, aimed at achieving positive impacts for refugees, returnees, mixed movements including refugees, IDPs, and/or host communities. Commitments relating to the prevention of statelessness, and access to legal identity and civil registration can also be considered.

Noting that IDPs are the specific focus of the UN Secretary-General’s Acton Agenda, the UN common pledge 2.0 seeks to be complementary to this and avoid confusion or duplication. For this reason, commitments specifically on IDPs (rather than on mixed populations or host communities which may include and benefit IDPs, for example) will  not be included in the UN common pledge 2.0.

In a similar vein, commitments that focus uniquely on migrants should be incorporated into pledges supporting the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) rather than under the UN common pledge 2.0. 

Commitments under the UN common pledge 2.0 relating to mixed movements where both migrants and refugees are concerned could be considered insofar as they contribute to the overarching commitment of the whole UN system in the UN Common pledge 2.0 “to promote and support refugees’ inclusion”. Commitments relating to mixed movements should be approved by both UNHCR and IOM. Commitments under the UN common pledge 2.0 which relate to mixed movements may also be reflected in pledges submitted in the context of the International Migration Review Forum, providing that they emphasise the focus on migrants and the relevant Objectives of the GCM.

Yes. These commitments targeting a specific country should be agreed with the UNCT and incorporated into its plans. Therefore, in conversation with the UNCT in a refugee-hosting country, a UN entity may wish to make specific commitments at the global level that will support refugee inclusion efforts in that country – or in multiple countries. UNHCR  is able to provide country-level guidance on what kind of specifical commitments are most needed to support inclusion. 

In some cases, commitments made by UN entities at the global level may be aimed at supporting or improving that agency’s efforts, or the UNCT’s efforts in every country where that entity is active. For example, a UN Agency may commit to systematically training all its country-level Representatives on refugee inclusion, strengthening the allocation of core resources to their programmes in refugee-hosting countries, or improving the disaggregation of the data they collect to make refugees more visible. These kinds of commitments have potential benefits for all refugee hosting countries where the entity is active.  

The recommended approach is that commitments made under the UN Common Pledge 2.0 are, wherever possible, streamlined into the different agency or interagency plans, in order to increase coherence and reduce transaction costs. The recommendation is to look at innovative and additional activities, whilst they might include some efforts that have already been started. 

This means that planned efforts that are aligned with the pledge can be included in it, and this is particularly encouraged if participation in the pledge can facilitate the successful completion of these planned efforts (e.g., if this brings positive additional focus and support, particularly if the work was previously stalled because of lack of support).  

At the same time, the UN Common Pledge 2.0 is a prompt to increase the level of ambition and build on gains already made. So, a key question for those generating commitments under the pledge is: if your UN entity or UNCT has already had some successes around refugee inclusion, how might these be extended, replicated or scaled in the 4-year period of the UN common pledge 2.0.

Guidance on the kinds of commitments that UNCTs can formulate under the pledge is available in the dedicated Guidance Document. Each UNCT can make one or multiple commitments as part of the overall pledge.   

The type of commitments will vary considerably based on contextual factors, not least of which will be the policies, priorities and openness of the host government. UNCTs are particularly encouraged to review any pledges made by the host government at the Global Refugee Forum 2019 or other government plans to advance refugee inclusion, to identify areas of intended progress on refugee inclusion where UN support can accelerate progress.  

The process to develop commitments should be consultative – led by the Resident Coordinator and reflecting a cohesive UNCT approach. The process will likely also be iterative. This means evolving from the development of initial ideas to more refined thinking, to a final statement of the commitments on the basis of feedback from other stakeholders involved in co-creating the whole pledge, such as other UNCTs, global level UN entities, and an expert group of refugees supporting the process.  

A template for submission of commitments was shared in February 2023 and first drafts of commitments were submitted throughout May and June 2023. A Peer Review took place throughout June and July, and final commitments were submitted between August and October 2023. 

Absolutely. Please see the section below on Frequently Asked Questions in relation to the Global Refugee Forum in general. You can also find online the various multi-stakeholder pledges being created. Should you want to join any of these initiatives, the focal points are listed on each page. 

It is expected that the UN Secretary-General will mention the pledge in the opening of the Global Refugee Forum. The pledge will then be formally announced during one of the pledging moments in the plenary. A side event featuring speakers from different stakeholder groups such as refugees, UN agencies, host governments and donors will highlight the scope, ambition and transformative potential of the pledge.

RRPs have either a regional focus or are country specific.² RRPs are normally (but not always) one-year plans and they record the planned response of multiple stakeholders, including local and international NGOs. They therefore extend beyond the scope of the UN. Some inclusion related activities, but by no means all elements of RRPs, may therefore be relevant to reflect as commitments in the UN Common Pledge 2.0.

Such inclusion-related activities may include, for example, any joint effort of a UNCT in a refugee-hosting country, that is specifically aimed at promoting and enabling refugees’ inclusion in national systems (rather than parallel service delivery), and which has a relevance or a lifespan consistent with the period covered by the pledge (2024-2027 inclusive). In fact, because the UN Common Pledge 2.0 has a four-year timespan, the sequencing may be as follows: the UNCT agrees on commitments to progress refugee inclusion under the UN Common Pledge 2.0, and these commitments are then reflected in relevant interagency planning documents, including in some instances RRPs.³

The commitments under the pledge made by UNCTs are aligned with and supportive of government strategies in refugee hosting countries. Several UNCT commitments are intended to support the host government to deliver against progressive pledges made at the Global Refugee Forum 2019, but which remain in progress; and many will also support government to operationalise new laws and policies related to refugee inclusion.  

All UNCT be commitments are integrated into existing or upcoming UN plans, and in most cases this means that they are included in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, which is agreed with the host government.  

Participation in the Common Pledge 2.0 is only relevant for UNCTs in refugee-hosting countries where the RCs/UNCTs have identified opportunities to progress refugees’ inclusion in national systems.  

All UNCTs have been invited to consider participation in the UN Common Pledge 2.0 under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator, and at the time of writing 38 of the 130 UNCTs around the world have opted in.   

Yes. New participation to the UN common pledge 2.0 is always welcome and will be welcome throughout the four years of its implementation phase. However, please be aware that any commitment submitted or developed after 20 October 2023 will not be taken into account for the UN common pledge launch at the Global Refugee Forum 2023. 

The Common Pledge 2.0. is primarily a statement of the UN family’s commitments on refugee inclusion, so there is no expectation that civil society organisations will make commitments under the pledge.  

However, commitments made by UN entities and UNCTs under the pledge can be co-developed with NGOs and civil society partners. In particular, consultation with refugees and host community members is necessary and supported as an integral part of the development of commitments under the pledge by UNCTs and UN entities, for the following reasons:  

• It is ethical and appropriate for refugees to participate in decisions and processes which will affect them, as is expressed in paragraph 34 of the UN’s 2018 Global Compact on Refugees, which states that “responses are most effective when they actively and meaningfully engage those they are intended to protect and assist”. It is also in line with the UN’s collective accountability to affected people (AAP). 
• Meaningful engagement with refugees and host communities will strengthen the quality of the pledge (including ensuring it is relevant and focused on the real issues) – as well as its credibility.  
• If refugees and host community members are meaningfully engaged in the process of co-creating commitments under the pledge, this will likely lead to more equitable, effective, responsive, and legitimate outcomes. The engagement of these groups throughout the implementation and monitoring phases of the pledge, including in any stocktaking exercises, will also be important.  

On behalf of the three co-leads for the pledge (UNHCR, UNOCHA, UNDCO), UNHCR has initiated discussions with the World Bank (WB) on the overall objectives of the pledge and the co-creation process.  

Going forward, given that financing for refugee-hosting countries is a key factor in securing refugees’ inclusion in national systems, the co-leads will connect with the WB and other International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to maximise the impact of the complementary role these stakeholders have in securing the objectives of the pledge.  

It is not expected that the WB or other IFIs will make commitments under the Common Pledge 2.0, given the different magnitude and modalities of these actors’ support to refugee situations, as well as the focus of the pledge on the UN system. They can however make their own, complementary pledges, which is encouraged.  

Where a UNCT finds it advantageous they are strongly encouraged to consult with regional UN mechanisms and other UNCTs in the region on their draft commitments. Global level UN entities’ commitments to supporting inclusion should ensure support out at the regional level where this is needed.

Commitments of UNCTs and UN entities under the pledge can be funded in at least four ways using existing modalities:  

1. Donors can fund UNCT efforts under the pledge through country, thematic Pooled Funds or joint UN programmes 
2. Donors can fund UN entities participating in the pledge bilaterally  
3. UN entities can allocate their own resources to their efforts under the pledge. 

Some commitments, such as joint UN advocacy for policy changes, or adjustments to institutional processes within a UN Agency, may not require additional resources.  

No, Member States are invited to make commitments in support of host country policy pledges and the thematic multi-stakeholder pledges.  

Whilst the pledge is primarily a statement of the UN family’s commitments on refugee inclusion, many other stakeholders, including national and local government in refugee hosting countries, donors, international and regional development banks; and refugees and host communities are essential to the realisation of these commitments. For this reason, other stakeholders are encouraged to make pledges that align with and support the commitments under the UN common pledge, either as a part of other multi-stakeholder pledges for the Global Refugee Forum, or as stand-alone pledges.  

Where UNCTs or global level UN entities will need resources for their planned actions under their commitments, they should cost these, building this into their existing budget. Knowing what resources are required to achieve success is essential for realistic planning, and also facilitates resource mobilisation, where that is required.

It is essential that the specific and measurable commitments under the pledge are monitored and reported on to hold committing entities to account, and to highlight and address barriers to progress.  

Where possible, UNCTs and UN entities making commitments under the pledge should leverage existing reporting processes, to reduce transaction costs and increase efficiency. This is one of the reasons why UNCTs are encouraged to include commitments under the UN Common Pledge 2.0 into existing or forthcoming planning documents. Additionally, the self-reporting system for tracking progress against all Global Refugee Form pledges will also apply to the UN common pledge, operating through the dedicated pledge portal of the GRF.

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Pledging entities are asked twice a year to report on the progress of their pledges. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the contact details of the focal point for each pledging entity are up to date in the system. Any changes should be notified through the progress update or by email to [email protected]. Outside these two campaigns, pledging entities can report progress at any point in time using the online pledge update form. 

In 2025 the co-leads for the pledge will facilitate a stocktaking process which will allow the UNCTs and UN entities participating in the pledge to highlight progress, challenges and learning from their efforts to support host governments to include refugees in their national systems.  

For guidance on other pledges or the Global Refugee Forum more generally please consult the FAQ on the Global Refugee Forum webpage.  

Pledges other than the UN common pledge 2.0 can be submitted through the online form at any time, but it is highly encouraged to make the submission in advance of the GRF to facilitate effective pre-matching. This will allow the pre-matched pledges to be highlighted and showcased not only at the GRF but prior to the Forum through the GRF ecosystem. 

Pledges may be individually or jointly submitted. Where a joint pledge is envisaged, pledging entities are encouraged to engage in the GCR multi-stakeholder pledges. They can also reach out to UNHCR ([email protected]) for guidance. 

The planning for side events for the Global Refugee Forum is well underway, and one of these events will showcase the UN common pledge. Any participant at the forum is able to attend this event; timing, speakers and other details will be published in the final programme. Unfortunately there is no capacity in the venue to add additional side events beyond those already planned. However linked events, which can take place anywhere in Geneva, in the margins of the Global Refugee Forum, are welcome and unrestricted.

In many cases the commitments from UNCTs and UN entities under the UN common pledge will also contribute to the goals of other pledges. For example, where a UNCT has committed to supporting the host government to extend the national education system to include refugee children, this will also help achieve the goals of the multi-stakeholder pledges on education. In these cases the commitment is recognised as a contribution to both the UN common pledge and the multi-stakeholder pledge.

Pledges announced since GRF 2019 will continue to be implemented while new pledges are being developed for the next GRF in line with the 20 key recommendations from the 2021 High-Level Officials Meeting. Pledging entities are encouraged to continue to provide progress updates on the implementation of their pledges. Number of pledges made since 2019 have scope to be specified. For pledges not yet delivered, pledging entities are also encouraged to seek matches via the pledge matching portal.

For more information, you can refer to the concept note for the GRF 2023.

Pledges can be submitted through the online form at any time, but it is highly encouraged to make the submission in advance of the GRF to facilitate effective pre-matching. This will allow the pre-matched pledges to be highlighted and showcased not only at the GRF but prior to the Forum through the GRF ecosystem.

Pledges may be individually or jointly submitted. Where a joint pledge is envisaged, pledging entities are encouraged to engage in the GCR initiatives. They can also reach out to UNHCR ([email protected]) for guidance.

The 20 key recommendations from the 2021 High-Level Officials Meeting, which is aligned with the GCR principles and objectives, are to guide the development of new pledges. The next GRF will focus on developing high-quality pledges that are additional, quantifiable, and needs-driven, and more information is available in the concept note.

A key priority of the GRF 2023 will be to strengthen the leadership of the multi-stakeholder in advancing the GCR, including through the comprehensive refugee responses and national arrangements while further developing the pledges and contributions.

Pledging entities are invited to visit the pledge matching portal to identify policy pledges of refugee hosting countries in need of financial, technical, and material support. UNHCR remains available to facilitate discussions with governments and other stakeholders to secure matching in advance of the GRF.

Stakeholders that are not already engaged in the GCR initiatives are invited to indicate, through this short online expression of interest, the key areas they would like to work towards developing and implementing pledges, and/or express their interest in joining existing GCR initiatives.

Where specific themes from the key recommendations are not currently addressed through existing GCR initiatives, “groups of friends’’ may be developed by UNHCR and/or partners, in support of pledge development. Stakeholders may propose the creation of such groups/initiatives to the GCR Coordination Team ([email protected]).

Pledges may also be made outside of these GCR initiatives and groups of friends.

Yes. Pledging entities are asked twice a year to report on the progress of their pledges. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the contact details of the focal point for each pledging entity are up to date in the system. Any changes should be notified through the progress update or by email to [email protected]. Outside these two campaigns, pledging entities can report progress at any point in time using the online pledge update form.

While the GRF modalities and programme are under development, GCR Initiatives/Groups of Friends are the main vehicles for proposing events. Stakeholders can express their interest in joining the initiatives and may propose to create a new initiative/group if a particular thematic area is not covered.

Participants of the GRF will comprise heads of state/government, ministers, and other highlevel participants. Participation is by invitation only, and the registration process will open in 2023. An organizational note detailing these aspects and more will be made available online at a later stage.

Pledges on mixed movements are encouraged under the GRF, providing they primarily contribute to the implementation of the GCR. 

Specifically, in thematic areas equally affecting refugees and migrants and covered by the two Compacts, alongside single pledges outlining the commitment(s) referring distinctively to migrants and refugees and the corresponding provisions of the GCM and GCR,  ‘mirror pledges’ under the GCR and the GCM are encouraged as they would complement and mutually reinforce each other to benefit both groups.

• Individual or joint pledges on mixed movements under the GRF could be envisaged providing they refer to para. 12 of the GCR (acknowledging that some large movements may involve refugees and others on the move) and that they highlight to what extent they focus and contribute to specific area(s)/objective(s) of the GCR (referencing the corresponding provisions of the GCR).  
• This would involve acknowledging, in the same vein, that pledges on mixed movements can also be made under the GCM/IMRF, providing that they focus on migrants and highlight to what extent they contribute to the implementation of the relevant Objective(s) of the GCM (including Objective 7 and 12 dealing with mixed movements)

Example - Proposed language:

“Expanding Alternatives to Detention in favour of migrants and refugees in line with Objective 13 of the GCM and para. 60 of the GCR”

Commitments relating to mixed movements at the GRF or at the IMRF should be coordinated with both UNHCR and IOM.